German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful warned today not to underestimate the danger posed by Russia even if the war in Ukraine ends, DPA reported, BTA reported.
"Even if the fighting stops now, what remains is an imperial and aggressive Russia, whose ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine," Wadeful said at a foreign policy forum in Berlin.
He stressed that Russia has largely geared its economy and society towards war and is recruiting far more soldiers than it currently needs for the war in Ukraine, with their number reaching almost one additional division per month.
"Divisions that are undoubtedly also aimed at us - the European Union and NATO", the German foreign minister warned.
German intelligence services believe that Russia intends to be ready for at least a "war option" against NATO by 2029.
Vadeful stressed that the threat from Moscow is already a reality, with the line between war and peace becoming increasingly blurred by hybrid warfare. This includes drone flights, airspace violations, sabotage and fake news campaigns, he added.
Regarding US President Donald Trump's plan to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine, Vadeful said that Washington "sometimes has an unorthodox approach to problems". However, US officials have been surprisingly flexible and willing to engage with their negotiating partners, including Europe, he added.
Vadeful described the US plan as which has been sharply criticized in Europe and Kiev as being too favorable to Russia as an "initial proposal". Europe is "being heard" and "participating" in the negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, he added.