Berlin: Germany’s top military official has issued a stern warning to Moscow, emphasizing that Russia must never assume it can prevail in a conflict against NATO or any of its member states. In a high-level address to Germany’s military leadership, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, highlighted lessons from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, cautioning that miscalculations could carry severe consequences.
Ukraine War as NATO’s Strategic Teacher
Breuer noted that the conflict in Ukraine serves as a strategic teacher for NATO countries. “We need to look into the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, adapt them for ourselves and develop our own concepts and structures accordingly because the war in Ukraine is our teacher,” he stated. He recalled that Russia expected a swift victory when it invaded Ukraine in 2022, a misjudgment that should never be repeated in any confrontation with NATO.
The conflict in Ukraine provides lessons that NATO countries must study and adapt for their own strategies.
Dual Objective: Deterrence and Preparedness
The German general underscored the dual objective of deterrence and preparedness. By making it clear that aggression against NATO would not be easy or assured, NATO seeks to prevent any future miscalculations by Moscow. Breuer’s remarks also signal Germany’s commitment to strengthening its role within NATO and ensuring the alliance remains strategically adaptive.
NATO seeks to prevent miscalculations by clearly demonstrating that aggression would not be easy or assured.
Message to Russia and NATO Members
Analysts interpret Breuer’s comments as a message both to Russia and to NATO members. To Russia, it is a warning that underestimating the alliance would be perilous. To NATO, it is a reminder to remain vigilant, absorb the lessons of modern warfare, and continuously improve military readiness and organizational structures.
Breuer’s comments serve as a warning to Russia and a reminder to NATO to remain vigilant and improve readiness.
Ensuring Regional Stability
Breuer’s statement comes amid heightened security concerns in Europe and ongoing tensions stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reflecting Berlin’s determination to uphold NATO’s deterrence credibility and maintain regional stability.
Germany emphasizes NATO’s deterrence credibility amid heightened security concerns in Europe.