German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized the international community's response to Russia's actions in 2014, when it annexed Crimea. He said Western countries “pressed the snooze button” instead of adequately responding to the threat. This inaction was one of the reasons for Russia's current aggression. /p>
URA-Inform reports this, citing DW.
Pistorius claims that from the Kremlin's point of view, the invasion of Ukraine is just the beginning. Russian President Vladimir Putin sees democracy and independence of the main enemies of his regime.
“Putin's real enemy is our free, independent and democratic way of life,” Pistorius stressed.
He also warned that Russia will not stop in Ukraine and will continue to try to undermine the unity of the EU and NATO using hybrid methods. These actions are aimed at weakening the defense capability of the Western world.
In the context of growing aggression from Russia, the German government plans to deploy a full-fledged military brigade in Lithuania by 2027. The first German troops will be sent there by the end of this year.< /p>
According to plans, by 2025 more than 35,000 German troops, 200 aircraft, two frigates and other military resources will be put on full combat alert to protect NATO's eastern flank.
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