- Category
- World
Germany’s Foreign Minister Names Five European Countries Russia Could Target Next
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko]( "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has stated that Russia may hold broader ambitions beyond Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, naming five countries that could potentially face future threats.
Speaking on the German television channel n-tv on October 6, Wadephul outlined potential targets based on historical assertions, according to ZDFheute.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
"And so we must assume that Russia has further plans," Wadephul said. He rooted his assessment in previous statements made by Russian leader Vladimir Putin regarding the dissolution of the Soviet Union, an event Putin previously referred to as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the 20th century.
When questioned about which specific nations could be included in such ambitions, Wadephul identified Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
"Ukraine belongs to this. Georgia also belongs to this. We also see Russian activity in Moldova. And, of course, the Baltics would belong here as well," the German Foreign Minister declared, ZDFheute reported.
Addressing the situation in the Baltic region, Wadephul noted that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are members of both the European Union and NATO.
He emphasized that in the event of an attack against any of these nations, Germany, as an allied partner, would be directly involved. In addition to future military concerns, Wadephul stated that Berlin is already experiencing Russian hybrid tactics firsthand, citing recurring cyberattacks and unmanned aerial vehicle incidents.
"We are already under attack right now. Remember the drones in Leipzig," the German Foreign Minister said.
Wadephul clarified that while he does not classify current hostile actions as full-scale warfare, Berlin views them as ongoing hybrid attacks.
In August 2026, Russia launched a targeted hybrid attack on Germany using explosive-laden drones that infiltrated the Leipzig/Halle airfield.
One drone, intended to detonate near a Ukrainian Antonov-124 cargo aircraft carrying ammunition, failed to explode and was discovered on the ground, while another struck a plane mid-flight, forcing an emergency landing in Hannover.
Following the initial incident, additional suspicious drones were spotted near German military installations, and a third device bearing traces of explosives was recovered.
By early September 2026, German authorities and US intelligence confirmed that the operation bore the clear hallmarks of Russian intelligence services, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemning the months-long planned attack as a deliberate strike against German infrastructure.
Discuss this article:
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")