Russia’s actions are raising serious concerns across Europe, and Germany isn’t taking them lightly.
Bruno Kahl, who leads Germany’s foreign intelligence service, sounded the alarm this week about the growing threats from Moscow.
Speaking in Berlin, he described how Russia is ramping up hybrid attacks on Germany and NATO. These moves, he said, are part of a strategy to weaken trust within the alliance and test its limits.
Kahl explained that Russian leaders, particularly in the Defense Ministry, may question whether NATO’s member nations will truly stand by their mutual defense promises.
While there is no evidence that Russia is actively preparing for war, Kahl warned that this kind of thinking could increase the risk of conflict in the future.
He said Russia is not aiming to take land but to break NATO apart. Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Kahl, wants the alliance to fail as a united defensive force.
Erode Confidence in NATO
If tensions rise further, Kahl said, Moscow might escalate its threats against Europe.
This could include the nuclear intimidation that Russia has hinted at before. Kahl said the Kremlin appears to be testing how willing NATO countries are to back each other in emergencies.
The goal, he believes, is to erode confidence among NATO members and create division before any potential military conflict even begins.
Kahl also warned that Russia might try to interfere in Germany’s upcoming parliamentary elections in February. He said Russia has used disinformation and propaganda to influence state-level elections in Germany.
Issues like climate change and COVID-19 are particularly targeted to stir social conflict. Far-left and far-right political groups in Germany, Kahl said, often spread these narratives, sometimes without realizing their origin.
Russia’s military preparations are another source of concern. Kahl said the Kremlin’s readiness for conflict has reached new heights.
If the situation continues to deteriorate, NATO could find itself forced to defend one of its members. He added that Russia might be capable of launching a large-scale military action against NATO by the end of the decade.
