At the end of January, Pistorius said that there is a possibility of a Russian attack on NATO countries in 2029–2030.
The German minister was asked whether Germany has time to prepare for war in NATO countries, since illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin is rapidly building up military arsenals, despite the war against Ukraine. Can the Russian Federation attack earlier, Pistorius clarified.
The head of the Ministry of Defense replied that “this question remains speculative.” He said military experts and intelligence agencies can estimate when Russia will have built up its military enough to be able to launch an attack on a NATO member in the east.
“We have always said that this could happen from 2029,” Pistorius recalled. “But now there are others who believe that this is possible as early as 2028. And some military historians even believe that last summer was the last peaceful one.”
At the same time, the German minister urged not to create the impression that NATO is not capable of defending itself.
He, as Pistorius assured, is capable and “has significant deterrence potential,” including nuclear.
The head of the German Ministry of Defense added that the Alliance has combat-ready armed forces. But they need to be “even better” equipped, Pistorius concluded.
Context
In past years, the political and military leadership of European countries several times announced the threat of a Russian attack. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Russia may attack NATO in 2029. The threat from the Russian Federation was also announced by former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces, Eirik Kristoffersen, to prepare for a likely war with Russia NATO has two to three years.
Bild, with reference to a secret document, reported that in NATO is preparing for a possible Russian attack to the eastern flank.
On February 16, 2025, the Financial Times reported, citing an anonymous Ukrainian official, that Putin is preparing for war against the Baltic countries.
June 19 Putin called the information that Russia intends to attack Europe an “incredible lie.”
On September 7, The Sun wrote that Putin is likely plans to invade the so-called Suwałki corridor – a section with a length of approximately 65 km on the border of Lithuania and Poland, connecting Kaliningrad with the ally of the Russian Federation – Belarus.
On September 21, US President Donald Trump announced that will help protect the states of NATO's eastern flank in the event of Russian escalation.
