German intelligence officials have issued a stark warning to the Bundestag, suggesting that Russia could launch a direct attack on NATO by the decade’s end. Bruno Kahl, President of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, stated that Germany and NATO are “in a direct conflict with Russia,” with Russian President Vladimir Putin having “declared his enemy long ago.” Kahl cautioned that a military clash with NATO is increasingly viewed as a viable option by Moscow.
The warning comes as Germany’s top security officials, including the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s Thomas Haldenwang, observed a significant uptick in Russian espionage and sabotage operations targeting NATO allies. Haldenwang urged for vigilance, calling Russia’s recent actions a “wake-up call.”
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the warnings, insisting that Russia poses no direct threat to NATO and criticizing the “illogical” portrayal of Russian forces as a danger. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, during a recent visit to Kyiv, underscored NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s path to membership, vowing that “the day will come that Ukraine is a full member” despite Russian opposition.
