Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) head Martin Jager has warned of an “icy peace” in Europe that could rapidly turn into a “heated confrontation” with Russia, citing the Kremlin’s efforts to destabilize European democracies and challenge NATO. Speaking to lawmakers in Berlin, Jager emphasized that Moscow’s actions pose an immediate risk, urging preparedness for potential conflict.
Jager stated, “We must not sit back and assume that a possible Russian attack will not come until 2029 at the earliest.” He warned that Russia could escalate tensions into direct military confrontation with NATO if necessary. The remarks align with broader Western concerns about Russia’s intentions following the Ukraine conflict, though Moscow has consistently denied such allegations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed these claims as “nonsense,” accusing Western Europe of fabricating fears of an impending war to justify increased defense spending. At a recent forum in Sochi, Putin criticized European leaders for prioritizing anti-Russian rhetoric over domestic issues, calling the narrative a “pretext” for military buildup.
Germany’s defense chief, General Carsten Breuer, has previously stated the country must prepare for potential conflict with Russia by 2029. Meanwhile, NATO and the EU have pledged to raise defense spending significantly, with member states committing to increase budgets to 5% of GDP by 2035. Moscow has rejected these moves, arguing they divert resources from social programs.
