Kremlin responds to Germany’s warning of potential 2028 war

Kremlin responds to Germany’s warning of potential 2028 war

RT

Russia does not want a conflict with NATO but could be forced to take measures to ensure its security in response to the bloc’s increasingly “militaristic” rhetoric, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

Peskov was commenting on remarks by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who last week told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that Russia could attack a NATO member “as early as 2028” or even next year. Pistorius used the claim to press Germany to speed up its militarization drive and overhaul its armed forces.

“This militaristic rhetoric is increasingly heard from European capitals,”Peskov told reporters on Monday, stressing that “such statements do not improve the situation” and only escalate tensions.

“Russia does not advocate any confrontation with NATO. But must take measures to ensure our security and interests if forced,” he emphasised.

Western officials, including Pistorius, have long used the threat of allegedly looming Russian aggression to justify military spending spikes such as Brussels’ €800 billion ReArm Europe plan and NATO members’ pledge to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP. Moscow has rejected such claims as “nonsense.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also addressed Pistorius’ interview and said it leaves “no doubt who the aggressor is,” given his push to expand Germany’s military might. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously warned that Germany is showing “clear signs of re-Nazification.”

Moscow has voiced concern about NATO’s growing activity along Russia’s western borders: the bloc has expanded its presence in Eastern Europe and held frequent drills while calling it deterrence. The Kremlin insists that Russia poses no threat to anyone but will not ignore actions it deems dangerous to its security.

Russia could strike NATO much earlier than predicted – German defense chief

RT

Russia could attack NATO as early as next year, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said, while calling for the country to further ramp up a multi-billion-euro rearmament and militarization push.

Western officials, including Pistorius, have used the claim to justify huge military spending spikes, including the EU’s €800 billion ($928 billion) ReArm Europe plan and NATO members’ pledge to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.

Moscow has rejected the accusations as “nonsense,” saying the West is using Russia as a “monster” to fuel tensions, expand military budgets, and distract from domestic problems.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung released on Friday, Pistorius said, “military experts and intelligence services can estimate when Russia will have rebuilt its forces enough to attack a NATO member in the east. We have always said this could be from 2029 onward.”

“Now, however, some say it’s conceivable as early as 2028, and some even believe we have already had our last summer of peace.”

He went on to say that Germany “must respond quickly and decisively by strengthening our defense capabilities,” and outlined several initiatives in progress, from drone procurement to boosting the army reserve to 200,000 soldiers by 2030 and infrastructure projects such as reinforcing bridges in case the country is used as a transit point for military equipment.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that Pistorius’ comments do not “improve the situation,” and could push Russia to take preventative measures.

“Such militaristic rhetoric is increasingly heard from Europe,” Peskov told reporters on Monday. “Russia does not advocate any confrontation with NATO. But we may be forced to take measures to ensure our security.”