Bundeswehr general fears attack on NATO territory
A consistent reinforcement of the West could prevent another war with Russia, according to German General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart. Moscow has the potential for such an attack. The chief of the Munich Security Conference also accused Putin of desires towards the Baltic region.
Before the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, the German commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast of the Alliance, Generalleutnant Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart, expressed concerns about a Russian attack. Moscow has the potential to ignite another conflict, including against NATO, said von Sandrart to the "Welt". "This threat is real. And it is growing with every day," warned the Bundeswehr-General. "Not all of Russia's forces are tied up in Ukraine," he added. "To hope and think that would be a fatal mistake."
The NATO is currently defensively positioned at its northeastern flank, said von Sandrart to the "Zeitung". "However, the more resources Russia can free up, for example by shifting from defense of occupied territories to offense in Ukraine, the automatic threat to other flanks and fronts increases," he explained. "We must act decisively and consistently," demanded the General. "We must be prepared before Russia reconstitutes itself."
Von Sandrart is responsible for tactical command of land operations at the northeastern flank of the Alliance. NATO and the Bundeswehr should use the time without open conflict to become battle-ready - which in the end can prevent war, he said in the interview.
Heusgen: Putin has already announced the attack
Christoph Heusgen, the chief of the Munich Security Conference, also warned of a Russian attack on the NATO alliance territory. Heusgen told the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post" and the Bonn "General-Anzeiger" in response to a question about whether he believed Putin would attack the Baltic region: "He has announced it! He wants to restore the Soviet Union; the Baltic region is part of that. If we let him, he will continue."
Heusgen commented on Putin's statements about the possible use of atomic weapons in the Ukraine conflict: "Putin is a master at stirring up fears. That's the intention behind his hints and threats, which he lets his entourage put out." At the same time, he is observing a new nuclear arms build-up. This is "very sad" considering that much money is needed for climate change mitigation, he said.
- Christoph Heusgen, the head of the Munich Security Conference, echoed these concerns, stating that Putin himself has announced a potential attack on NATO alliance territory.
- In response to a question about Putin's intentions towards the Baltic region, Heusgen noted that Putin has publicly expressed his desire to restore the Soviet Union, which includes the Baltic states.
- Heusgen also addressed Putin's threat to potentially use atomic weapons in the Ukraine conflict, stating that it's a tactic to instill fear, but it's also a sign of a new nuclear arms build-up.
- According to Heusgen, this nuclear arms build-up is unfortunate given the significant resources needed for climate change mitigation.
