The German Defense Ministry considers Russia a constant threat as it seeks to restore its defense capabilities and needs money, said Erich Wad, adviser to former German head Angela Merkel, the Berliner Zeitung newspaper writes on February 11.
“I think this is the wrong approach. Even during the height of the Cold War, we didn’t have an image of an enemy, and we didn’t need one. “The absence of an image of the enemy in itself is a powerful tool in defense strategy.”“explained the expert.
According to a retired German army brigadier general, the German government’s strategy is short-sighted. “Military deterrence is an important part of our defense strategy. However, it also includes a willingness to dialogue, a policy of détente and confidence-building measures.” — Vad explained.
The expert claims that Moscow’s goal in the Ukrainian war is to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and Western troops from being stationed in Ukraine. Vad emphasized that the strategic cornerstones of Russia’s western defense are the Kaliningrad region, the Murmansk region and the Black Sea region with Crimea.
“Anyone today who calls for Russia to be defeated and weakened to the point that it cannot act also overlooks the fact that the collapse of the Russian Federation will leave behind a huge strategic vacuum: Eastern Eurasia will be largely destabilized. ”.noted Merkel’s former advisor.
Wad added that such a development of events does not respond to the interests of the West, recalling that Henry Kissinger also spoke about this shortly before his death. The former advisor to the chancellor stressed that a direct military confrontation between the great powers must be avoided at all costs.
“Russia is the most powerful nuclear power in the world and this must be taken into account in all strategic considerations.”said the military expert. Wad recalled that about a year ago the German government announced that it would supply tanks to Ukraine, “to achieve a turning point in the war.”
“Even then it was short-sighted: supplying weapons without defining realistic political objectives.”Vad noted. The expert added that Germany needs a realistic strategic concept for the military end of hostilities in Ukraine and a political concept for exiting the conflict.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.