Ukraine crisis: The new role of the Bundeswehr - Minister warns of uncertainty about "aggressor" Putin
Created: 02/23/2022Updated: 02/23/2022, 17:37
By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht calls for more money for the Bundeswehr.
(Archive photo) © Philipp Schulze/dpa
The Ukraine conflict with Russia put NATO on alert on its eastern flank.
The Bundeswehr is also making its contribution in the Baltic countries.
Munich - The Russian troop deployment and the Ukraine conflict have alerted NATO.
According to information from Western secret services, there were more than 150,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine.
A US intelligence official recently told CNN that Russia has 75 percent of its conventional troops stationed on the Ukrainian border.
In addition, the Kremlin also sent soldiers and equipment to Belarus for a joint military maneuver - the action was extended, and a withdrawal announced in the meantime did not come true.
And Western secret services are certain: More will follow.
Ukraine conflict: Final escalation level probably not yet reached - Berlin also militarily active
The intelligence officials warned the
Financial Times
that it is almost certain that Putin will order another invasion of Ukraine.
The capital Kiev and critical military infrastructure could also be targeted.
NATO has shifted from a state of preparedness to a state of defense, officials said.
Because the last stage of escalation is far from being reached.
This state of defense is particularly evident in the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The US and European countries are deploying troops and equipment, including fighter jets, to these countries, which form the alliance's eastern flank.
Germany is also making a contribution to the NATO mission in the region and has been playing a leading role since 2017.
The Bundeswehr has been participating in the NATO Battle Group entitled "Enhanced Forward Presence" for about five years now in the Baltic States.
The campaign was launched after the illegal annexation of Crimea and the occupation of eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists.
In the Ukraine conflict, however, Germany was often accused of not showing a clear stance against Russia like other NATO and EU member states.
In addition to suspending Nord Stream 2, Olaf Scholz's government is now also taking precautions at the military level.
Ukraine conflict: Baltic states fear a similar fate - Bundeswehr in Lithuania gets significant reinforcements
A direct military confrontation with Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine seems unlikely.
However, no one knows where Putin will stop.
Will he only take Donetsk and Luhansk or will he march all the way to Kiev?
The Baltic countries fear they will be the Kremlin's next target after Ukraine.
In contrast to Ukraine, however, they are NATO members and can rely on stronger protection from the alliance.
The key word here is Article 5 of the NATO treaty: an attack on the Baltic states would be considered an attack on all NATO members.
The Bundeswehr was previously represented there with 550 soldiers in Lithuania and is taking over the leadership of the battle group in the Baltic country.
The number of troops has now been significantly increased again and increased to 900.
On Tuesday
(February 22)
, Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) visited the German soldiers of the battle group and drew attention to the blurred boundaries of a possible Russian invasion: “Russia is acting as an aggressor here.
And at this hour it is uncertain how far the Russian side will push their aggression.” That is why they are “vigilant and defensive”.
Ukraine conflict: According to Lambrecht, the Bundeswehr is providing “thousands of soldiers” for a huge NATO crisis unit
In addition to the battle group in Lithuania, Germany also plays a central role in the "NATO Response Force" (rapid reaction force).
The unit currently has around 40,000 soldiers and is mainly used in times of crisis, which is why it is particularly relevant in the Ukraine conflict.
Most recently, the standby time has been greatly reduced: in future, the soldiers no longer have to be able to be deployed in 30 days, but in seven days.
"With several thousand soldiers, Germany will be one of the main contributors to the NRF in the coming years," emphasized Lambrecht.
In fact, the Bundeswehr website states that Germany is the "responsible framework nation and major troop provider for the NRF Response Force 2022 to 2024".
In the midst of severe tensions with Russia, the Bundeswehr is taking on a critical role.
The West is reacting to the Russian actions with tough sanctions.
The US and the EU yesterday announced the first economic and financial measures to deter Russian ruler Vladimir Putin from further aggression.
With his recognition of the so-called "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, Putin has caused tensions to escalate significantly.
(bb)
