Russia remains greatest security threat to Europe, says Bundeswehr general

Major General Wolf-Juergen Stahl, President of the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS) and officer of the Bundeswehr, stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"The federal government clearly understands: we must become more resilient, including against hybrid attacks that are already taking place. And we must be capable of defense in order to prevent, through strengthened defense capabilities, an open military conflict, first and foremost with Russia," Stahl said.

He added that Ukraine is already directly experiencing this threat: "Ukraine is feeling it first-hand, if one may put it that way."

The general also commented on the "Zeitenwende" (turning point) declared after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, the changed security environment in Europe is now widely recognized and acknowledged in Germany.

Stahl noted that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, perceptions of security and defense in Germany have shifted significantly.

"Perceptions of terms such as defense capability, combat readiness, or – a term introduced by our minister – 'war readiness' (Kriegstüchtigkeit) have changed. These topics are now much more in focus," he said.

Photo: BAKS/Stollberg and M. Hurek für FOCUS