Russia is becoming "more and more of a threat to NATO," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday, as he visited Poland and Lithuania amid weeks of high tensions on the alliance's eastern flank due to Russian incursions, reported dpa.
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Pistorius said Moscow is "testing NATO allies with growing frequency and intensity."
Russian President Vladimir Putin "deliberately attempts to undermine European security and the territorial integrity of European nations," Pistorius argued. "He seeks to provoke NATO member states. He wants to expose vulnerabilities within our alliance."
But NATO has "responded to Russia's provocations with clarity, unity, resolve, and prudence," the German minister said.
"We will not be lured into Putin's trap of continuous escalation. We are keeping a cool head while remaining steadfast and determined."
Alongside Pistorius, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans and Estonia's Hanno Pevkur were both due to take part in the forum, as well as European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius.
Pistorius is also set to discuss Ukraine's future relationship with Europe in high-level talks in the Polish capital, which comes weeks after Russian drones were shot down over Poland.
The incident was followed by Russian violations of NATO airspace in Romania and Estonia.
"When needed, NATO forces stand ready, just like the jets of our allies in the Baltics that were scrambled and escorted Russian aircraft out of Estonian airspace," said Pistorius. "We will continue working together closely on strengthening our air defence."
Also speaking at the conference, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Russia's war in Ukraine is part of a political project to subjugate other peoples.
"This war is also our war," said Tusk. "If we lose this war, the consequences will affect not only our generation, but also the next generation in Poland, Europe, the United States and everywhere else in the world."
German foreign minister: Russia testing NATO resolve
Pistorius was not the only German official in Warsaw on Monday, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also in the city for talks with his French and Polish counterparts. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is also expected to join the consultations.
"We are standing together, keeping a cool head and not allowing ourselves to be driven into an escalation," Wadephul said before departing to the Polish capital. "At the same time, we are leaving no doubt that we are determined and ready to fend off any threat together."
The violations of NATO airspace by Moscow "are not mistakes, but deliberate attacks in the grey zone," he warned.
They are part of Putin's hybrid aggression, he said, adding that "such provocations are extremely dangerous and have only one goal: to test our resolve."
Pistorius to visit Lithuania
Pistorius is then due to travel on to Lithuania, where Germany is deploying a combat brigade to assist with the defence of NATO's eastern flank.
The unit was formally activated in May and is set to comprise a force of around 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian personnel, with full operating capability expected in 2027.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė is to formally hand over a military logistics centre to Pistorius in the town of Rukla.
As preparations for the German brigade continue, a German school is set to be formally opened in the capital Vilnius on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the German School is to be opened in the capital Vilnius.
(By Carsten Hoffmann, Doris Heimann and Jörg Blank).
- Russia
- Threat
- German
- Minister
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
