Russian forces will be in a position to attack NATO territory by the end of this decade at the latest, the head of the German military said today intelligence, quoted by Reuters, reported BTA.
"Russian forces should be in a position to launch an attack on NATO by the end of this decade at the latest," Bruno Kahl told a parliamentary committee in Berlin.
On this background, Moscow announced that it is ready for a dialogue with Berlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to the idea of dialogue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency Interfax, quoted by DPA. "We have repeatedly stated that we remain open to contact," said Peskov. He noted that so far there has been no offer from the German side for a telephone conversation.
Peskov said this in the context of a statement by German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock, who said that Putin no longer wished to speak with the chancellor on the phone. Recently, Scholz emphasized that the options for peace should be explored, and there were also reports of a planned telephone conversation with Putin, DPA said.
In early October, Peskov said that Putin was open to dialogue, although he said that relations between Moscow and Berlin were practically at their lowest level, but not because of Russia. He added that “there are no common issues on the surface”. Scholz last spoke to Putin by phone in December 2022, when he urged him for a diplomatic solution and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. In June, Scholz said he could not rule out a conversation with Putin in the future, but said it would only make sense if there was something concrete to discuss.
NATO begins today its annual nuclear exercise, in which about 2,000 military personnel from eight air bases will participate in the next two weeks, DPA reported. Exercise Steadfast Noon will involve 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over Western Europe. These include fighter jets capable of transporting US nuclear bombs deployed in Europe and long-range bombers, as well as surveillance and refueling aircraft.
No combat weapons will be used in the exercises, NATO said. This year's exercises will take place at air bases in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as in the airspace over Great Britain, Denmark and the North Sea. Aircraft from a total of 13 alliance countries are participating.
NATO stresses that the exercise is a "routine and repetitive training activity" and not a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the organization aims to send a clear signal to Moscow that NATO is ready to defend itself with nuclear weapons if necessary. "Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of allied security," said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance's nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all allies.“