German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that Russia has broader ambitions beyond its war against Ukraine, writes app.ekkow.com.

“Before the war, Russia had maintained good relations with Ukraine, faced no threat and had favourable supply agreements with countries including Germany, Wadephul told broadcaster ntv: “And that is why we have to assume that Russia has broader plans”.

Asked what he meant, Wadephul pointed to past remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin describing the collapse of the Soviet Union as the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century: “If that was the greatest catastrophe, then he probably wants to reverse it”.

He said this involved Ukraine as well as Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic states. Wadephul said that because the Baltic states are members of both the EU and NATO, Germany would also be affected as an ally.

Germany would not only consider itself under attack if German territory were targeted, but also if the borders of NATO allies such as Poland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania were crossed, the minister added. He also said Germany was already facing hybrid attacks, pointing to drone incidents in Leipzig and previous cyberattacks.

In August, a drone carrying explosives was discovered between Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The German government blames Russia for the incident. Moscow denies responsibility”, - reads the article.