Press
Boris Pistorius warns of a Russian attack on NATO and wants to increase the number of reservists. President Putin could be ready for this in just a few years.
Berlin – Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) presented its plans for a new military service model on Wednesday and warned in drastic terms of the dangers posed by Russia’s President Wladimir Putin The SPD politician wants to encourage more young people to join the armed forces in the coming years and thus create a powerful reserve for the armed forces Because an attack by Russia – as Pistorius confirmed at the press conference in Berlin – could be just a few years away.
Pistorius warns about Putin: Russia ready to attack NATO in 2029
“One must assume that Russia will be able to build a NATO-state,” said the Defense Minister on Wednesday. That is why the Bundeswehr must eradicate the shortcomings of the past years as quickly as possible. The conclusion of Pistorius’ ministry: “We must improve our deterrence and defense capabilities so that aggressors refrain from attacking NATO territory.”
Clear words from the Defense Minister, with which he probably also wants to justify the necessity of his plans, which are unlikely to be met with approval by the entire population. But since the black-yellow government and Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU) suspended conscription in 2011, the German military has been struggling with a shortage of personnel. The invasion of Russian troops into eastern Ukraine in February 2022 catapulted the issues of defense and military capability back to the top of the political agenda in one fell swoop.
Is Putin seeking conflict with NATO? Kremlin propagandists stir up trouble
Since the first months of the war, experts have feared that Putin might not stop at conquering Ukraine and might continue his expansion drive to the West. On Russian state TV, Kremlin propagandists repeatedly threaten to attack NATO member Poland or the Baltic states. For example, the ultra-nationalist politician Aleksei Zhuravlev said in January that the Poles would understand “that it is their turn next.”
After decades of military independence, Sweden and Finland joined NATO as a result of Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
Putin’s expansionist drive: Suwalki Gap as NATO’s weak point?
In recent months, the Suwalki Gap has been repeatedly cited as a strategically sensible point for a Russian attack. The almost 104-kilometer-wide narrow section in the border area between Poland and Lithuania separates Belarus from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. A Russian advance in this area could open a land connection between Kaliningrad and the Russian ally Belarus and would simultaneously cut off the Baltic states from the rest of the NATO states.
However, an attack by Putin on the Suwalki Gap would trigger the alliance case under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. This states that an attack against a member of NATO is considered an attack against all members of the military alliance. It is unclear whether the Russian autocrat would provoke an open conflict with NATO.
Pistorius presents plans for new military service – focus on voluntary service
With the military service reform, Pistorius wants to increase the number of reservists, who have received basic training with the troops and could be called up if necessary. The minister wants to “generate” around 200,000 new reservists through the reform. The number of active soldiers is to rise to around 200,000; at the moment there are around 181,000. In the long term, the Bundeswehr is to comprise around 460,000 soldiers – this number includes both the reserve and active soldiers.
The model is not compulsory military service, but relies on voluntary participation. However, registration of young people is mandatory. In concrete terms, this means that women and men are contacted when they reach military age – usually on their 18th birthday. Men are asked to fill out a questionnaire, and they are obliged to answer it and send it back. Women can return the questionnaire on a voluntary basis.
Particularly suitable and motivated senders will then be asked to undergo compulsory medical examination. Those selected will then be required to complete six months of basic military service if they wish. This can be extended voluntarily by up to 17 months. No one is forced to do it. (fd/AFP)
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