Berlin (DPA) – Russia intends to test Western solidarity, especially regarding NATO’s collective defense clause, according to Bruno Kahl, head of the BND Intelligence Services Department of Germany.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle Broadcasting Corporation, he said Russia is considering testing the reliability of NATO Article 5, which states that an attack on an ally must be considered an attack on everyone.
“We really hope that this is incorrect and that we won’t be in a difficult position to test. But we have to assume that Russia wants to test us in order for the West to be tested in a unified way,” Carl said.
According to Karl, the timing of Russia’s test of NATO’s collective defense clauses depends on the course of the Ukrainian war.
He noted that if the war ends by 2029 or 2030, it will allow Russia to use its technology, material and personnel resources to pose an early threat to Europe.
“It may also be earlier than previously calculated than Russia’s specific threats or blackmail attempts to Europeans,” Carl said.
“The early end of the Ukrainian war will allow the Russians to direct their energy to where they really want, i.e. to Europe.”
Carl said Russia envisions a future world order, just like in the late 1990s, NATO’s protection existence was delayed, Russia’s influence expanded westward, ideally without the United States in Europe.
