Germany faces a growing risk of becoming involved in an armed conflict with Russia as Moscow intensifies what Berlin describes as an increasingly aggressive “shadow war” against European democracies, the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service has warned.
Martin Jaeger, head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), issued the warning on Monday during an annual public hearing involving the heads of the country’s intelligence services.
Jaeger said the confrontation with Russia had entered a “new and more dangerous dimension,” describing Moscow as the most direct and concrete threat currently facing Germany.
“No other country currently poses such a direct, comprehensive and concrete threat to Germany,” Jaeger said, according to Telegrafi.
He said Germany had not sought the confrontation but that Russia was imposing it, arguing that Moscow views Germany as one of its main adversaries because of Berlin’s opposition to the Kremlin’s expansionist policies and its continued support for Ukraine.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western countries.
The Kremlin has threatened that Ukraine will “pay the price” after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv would continue targeting Russian oil refineries.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced during a visit to Kyiv a new €1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine, signaling continued German support for Zelensky’s government.
The package includes long-range weapons, combat drones and satellite technology, with the aim of strengthening Ukraine’s ability to strike targets, including Russian military launch sites.
“So that Ukraine can also strike the Russian launch platforms,” Merz said during a press conference in Kyiv.
The developments come as Germany and other European countries continue to reassess their security policies amid Russia’s war against Ukraine and growing concerns over potential escalation between Moscow and NATO members.
