BND boss warns: Russia plans to test NATO alliance!

BND boss warns: Russia plans to test NATO alliance!

Moskau, Russland - The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) expresses worrying assessments of the latest developments in the geopolitical landscape of Europe. In a podcast of the media portal "Table.briefing", BND boss Bruno Kahl found that Russia shows an urge to expose and that Ukraine only sees the west as part of a larger plan. According to Kahl, there is a conviction in Moscow that Article 5 of the NATO contract, which defines an attack on a member country as an attack on all countries of alliance, is not effective and could potentially test. This harbors serious risks for European security and the credibility of NATO.

Kahl emphasized that Russia pursued the goal of wanting to "kick America out of Europe" and was willing to use different means, from conventional military strategies to asymmetrical tactics. He pointed out that the strategy of Russia is not limited to large -scale bombing or massive armored armies, but could also include the use of "small green male", a term for the use of hidden troops in conflict situations.

concerns about NATO scaring

At a conference in Berlin, Kahl also warned of deficits in western deterrence. High-ranking Russian officials have doubts about the NATO members' duty to assist and think that in the event of war it could remain unclear whether the United States would offer its European partners enough military support. These uncertainties throw a light on the operational readiness and military cohesion of NATO in the event of an attack, which not only raises strategic questions, but could also significantly increase the risk of war.

The BND boss also emphasized that negotiations of the West are not promising with Russia and that he does not see any signs that President Vladimir Putin was willing to rethink his aggressive attitude. Kahl sees the previous negotiations more as a dictation of Putin in which a surrender of the West is required.

historical context of NATO Russia relationships

The relationships between NATO and Russia have been shaped by changeable developments since the North Atlantic Cooperation Council was founded in 1991. Russia joined the “Partnership for Peace” program in 1994, and the relationships were formalized in 1997 by signing the NATO Russia basic files. However, this cooperation abruptly ended by NATO after the annexation of the Crimea by Russia in 2014, and NATO exposed all practical cooperation with Russia.

In recent years, the Situation has further tightened, especially after Russia's attack on Ukraine, which led to Russia at the NATO summit in 2022 classified as a "direct threat to euroatlantic security". The NATO Russia Council was then dissolved, while NATO is increasingly focusing on the support of Ukraine and not aiming at a direct conflict with Russia.

summarized can be said that the current developments and comments by the BND boss Kahl are not only worrying, but also could also re-infect the geopolitical tensions between Russia and NATO. While the question of the support in NATO is still in the room, it is unclear how the member states will react to the aggressive tactics of Moscow.