Germany urged to boost crisis readiness amid Russian threat
Conducting crisis training in schools and building resilience is responsible and forward-thinking, according to German politician Roderich Kiesewetter from CSU. In an interview with Handelsblatt, he stated that teachers in German schools should prepare students for a potential war. In his opinion, Russia may attack NATO countries within one or two years.
The CDU deputy, whose party is expected to take power in Germany, pointed out in an interview with the newspaper Handelsblatt that proper preparation is "absolutely necessary" for school students, calling them "particularly vulnerable and particularly affected in crisis situations." Some voices suggest that Germany is less prepared for a potential conflict than the Nordic countries.
Kiesewetter noted that Germany is "significantly less resilient" because it has "backward" crisis readiness structures compared to countries like Denmark, Sweden, or Finland. The latter has been preparing its citizens for the possibility of war with Vladimir Putin's Russia for several years.
Germany prepares for war with Russia
The German government also encourages citizens to follow EU recommendations, which suggest preparing a survival kit including bottled water, long-lasting food, a tin opener, medicine, a torch, 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, "According to our analyses, Russia will be able to attack NATO territory in four to seven years." The aforementioned Roderich Kiesewetter believes that there is even less time.
"Russia is already attacking us and is more likely to attack NATO territory using conventional and military forces within 1-2 years if we do not deploy sufficient deterrent forces and means," wrote the CDU politician on X.
Trump's tariffs. Russia feels increasingly confident
German concerns are partly related to Donald Trump's policy. He imposed tariffs on many countries around the world, including China, Southeast Asian countries, and EU states. Trump also claims to get along well with Vladimir Putin and treats him as an equal partner in talks.
This raises concerns in our part of Europe because it means that the Kremlin can count on some concessions from the White House regarding the construction of a post-war order and security on the Old Continent. Russians have noticed they can pursue their imperial ambitions without necessarily facing consequences for their brutal policies.
