Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, a senior German army commander, has warned that Russia could be ready to invade a Nato partner by 2029. In an interview with Politico, he said all 32 Nato members agree that Vladimir Putin may have the capability to launch a large-scale assault on allied territory before the end of the decade, urging German leaders to increase military investment.
The warning comes amid a series of alerts from European defence chiefs. UK Chief of Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton recently stated that Britain faces its 'most dangerous period' in decades, with Russia 'definitely raising the stakes'. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary John Healey and Defence Minister Al Carns resigned on Thursday over the government's Defence Investment Plan, which they criticised for failing to learn from the Ukraine conflict.
Intelligence suggests Russia is ramping up military operations near Nato borders, including Finland, Norway, and the Baltic states, according to top Nordic spy chiefs. Experts fear Moscow may attempt to attack Nato states within the next one to three years, though the Kremlin has denied such intentions. In May, Nato announced plans to bolster its eastern flank and establish a second command in Muenster, Germany, dedicated to Baltic defence.
However, US General Alexus G Grynkewich, who commands Nato, insisted Russia is 'not looking for a conflict', citing asymmetric advantages held by the alliance. Speaking in Berlin, he said Russia understands it would not succeed in any attack on the Baltic states and therefore would not take the risk. His remarks follow criticism from US President Donald Trump over Nato members' defence spending.
