Germany considers school crisis drills amid rising tensions
According to a German politician from CSU, Roderich Kiesewetter, conducting crisis training in schools and building resilience is considered responsible and forward-thinking. In an interview with Handelsblatt, he stated that teachers in German schools should prepare students for potential future conflicts. In his opinion, Russia may attack NATO countries within one or two years.
The CDU deputy, whose party is poised to take power in Germany, pointed out in an interview with the newspaper Handelsblatt that proper preparation is "absolutely necessary" for students, describing them as "particularly vulnerable and especially affected in crisis situations." Some argue that Germany is less prepared for a potential conflict than the Nordic countries.
Kiesewetter noted that Germany is "significantly less resilient" because its crisis readiness structures are "outdated" compared to countries like Denmark, Sweden, or Finland. Finland, for example, has been preparing its citizens for possible conflict with Vladimir Putin's Russia for several years.
Germany prepares for conflict with Russia
The German government also encourages citizens to follow EU recommendations, suggesting preparing a survival kit that includes bottled water, long-lasting food, a can opener, medicine, a flashlight, essential documents, cash, a phone charger, and a map. Similar calls have recently appeared in the United Kingdom.
Carsten Breuer, the inspector general of the German army, also presented a concerning forecast regarding a potential Russian attack on NATO territory. During a recent security conference in Berlin, he said, "In five to eight years, Moscow's armed forces will be equipped with the material and personnel to attack NATO territory." Roderich Kiesewetter believes that there is even less time.
"Russia is already confronting us and is more likely to attack NATO territory using conventional military forces within 1-2 years if we do not deploy sufficient deterrent forces and measures," wrote the CDU politician on X.
Trump's tariffs and rising Russian confidence
German concerns are partly related to Donald Trump's policies, which imposed tariffs on many countries worldwide, including China, Southeast Asian countries, and EU states. He also believes he gets along well with Vladimir Putin and treats him as an equal partner in discussions.
This raises concerns in Europe because it suggests that the Kremlin might expect some concessions from the White House regarding constructing a post-conflict order and security. Russians have noticed they can pursue their imperial ambitions without necessarily facing consequences for their aggressive policies.
