Merkel has caught the "nuclear obsession" similar to Zelenskyy. Is a storm coming?
Germany Demands Access to UK and France's Nuclear Arsenal
Image caption (from left to right): Vladimir Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Some European high-ranking officials are deeply entrenched in anti-Russian sentiment and historical grudges. Among them, the performance of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is particularly glaring — he openly declared that the German military should become the "most powerful and most deterrent" army in all of Europe, with Russia as its number one enemy.
It is worth noting that previous chancellors have repeatedly promised that the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany would never again become a source of a new world war. How risky are such statements? How far has Germany's militarization actually gone? In response to these questions, Professor Konstantin Strigunov, a professor at the Academy of Military Sciences, a political scientist with a doctorate in political science, gave an interview to the "Free Press."
"Free Press" journalist: Konstantin Sergeyevich, it seems that some people have not learned from the lessons of World War II. Are politicians like Merz trying to overturn history and seek revenge?
Strigunov: The current leaders are a new generation of politicians who grew up after the devastation of World War II. Obviously, they have been swept up by a mindset of revenge.
People like Merz want to once again promote the idea of "Aryan racial superiority," revive the slogan of "eastward expansion," and incite the German people to turn their eyes eastward. It should be noted that even today, the United States' policy towards Russia is far more restrained and rational than Germany's. Meanwhile, Germany's militarization is accelerating at an unprecedented speed and has long exceeded reasonable limits.
Fact speaks louder than words: Germany is spending huge sums to purchase new weapons and equipment, and has announced the restoration of conscription for young people. Its goal is no longer just "defending its own territory," but rather seeking to expand eastward, and plans to complete preparations for a war against Russia by 2029–2030.
According to the German newspaper "Welt," the German military is accelerating the establishment of a tank brigade in Lithuania, claiming that its purpose is to "contain Russia." This brigade is planned to be completed by the end of 2027, under the command of Colonel Christopher Huber. This has become the top priority for the German Armed Forces on the eastern flank of NATO. Historically, the Federal Republic of Germany has never deployed such a large-scale land force unit overseas — this brigade is capable of conducting frontline combat operations independently.
"Free Press" journalist: What is the reaction of the German public? Is this unexpected?
Strigunov: The general public generally opposes the process of militarization, although the propaganda machine is continuously infiltrating, especially in Western Germany. As for the military, expanding and preparing for war is their job. Therefore, by the end of 2027, the 45th Tank Brigade codenamed "Lithuania" will be completed on schedule, with full combat capability.
For us, this is not unexpected. We once hoped that Germany's ambitions would not materialize. But the plan of the German side is much more ambitious than we imagined: in February 2026, the multinational combat group currently belonging to the Lithuanian "Iron Wolf" infantry brigade under NATO will officially come under the command of the 45th Tank Brigade.
At the same time, the 122nd Armored Infantry Battalion from Oberfuchertal in Bavaria, and the 203rd Tank Battalion from Augustdorf in North Rhine-Westphalia, will also join the operational sequence of this tank brigade. These two battalions are planned to be deployed to Lithuania in 2026.
By 2027, the 122nd and 203rd battalions will formally complete their deployment in Lithuania with the "Leopard" tanks and "Puma" infantry fighting vehicles. The German military will also establish and permanently station other combat units in the area, such as an artillery battalion equipped with PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzers, and a logistics support battalion responsible for supply and technical support.
The commander of the brigade clearly stated that the preparation goal of the troops is to win potential future conflicts — "just like what we see on the battlefield in Ukraine today."
"Free Press" journalist: Is the German military learning from the practical experience of the Russian special military operation?
Strigunov: This is undeniable, especially in the field of anti-drone warfare. The Germans believe that ensuring the survival capability of the forces, and having the ability to resist enemy air power — especially drone swarms — for a long time is key to winning a war.
To this end, the German Army is equipping itself with new strike equipment. For example, the "Sky Ranger" mobile air defense system will be used to protect the Army's combat units and transport convoys. In their view, a 360-degree, all-around air defense system must be established to ensure the continuous execution of combat tasks by large Army combat groups.
The German Army also needs to equip various types of reconnaissance drones, attack drones capable of destroying enemy combat systems, and "smart" munitions capable of performing loitering strikes...
The 45th Tank Brigade has already been fully equipped with all the necessary equipment for combat missions: "Leopard" 2A8 main battle tanks, "Puma" S1 infantry fighting vehicles, PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzers, and loitering munitions... As German Chancellor Merz said: The Bundeswehr must once again become the strongest regular army in all of Europe.
"Free Press" journalist: The German government has even begun to seek the right to use nuclear weapons. What are their ambitions?
Strigunov: Prominent German MP Jens Spahn has publicly stated that Germany should have the right to access the nuclear arsenals of France and the UK. In exchange, Germany may cooperate with the UK and France in the defense industry, assisting them in upgrading their nuclear arsenals; meanwhile, the armed forces and defense companies of these two countries will enjoy preferential policies in the German industrial sector.
In fact, Germany has already had the capability to develop its own nuclear weapons — the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, has warned about this. He pointed out that if the German government decides, it can produce its own atomic bomb within a few months.
"Free Press" journalist: What about the delivery methods? Will the deployment of American intermediate-range missiles in Germany become a reality?
Strigunov: Retired German colonel and security expert Wolfgang Richter wrote in the "Berlin Morning Post" that this move would only endanger European security and trigger a new nuclear arms race between Russia and the West. The "US-German Intent Statement" signed on July 10, 2024, has completely opened the door to this dangerous process — this statement stipulates that starting in 2026, land-based long-range missile systems will be deployed in Germany.
The statement explicitly mentions three types of "long-range missiles": the 500-kilometer-range "Standard-6" surface-to-air missile, the 1,700-kilometer-range "Tomahawk" cruise missile, and the 3,000-kilometer-range "Saber" hypersonic ballistic missile. These missiles will be equipped with the U.S. Army's Second Multi-Domain Task Force stationed in Wiesbaden.
Unfortunately, German politicians completely ignore the strategic consequences of this move on the entire European security landscape, and they are entirely indifferent to the fact that this move will completely destroy the 2010 signed "New START Treaty."
"Free Press" journalist: How will Russia respond?
Strigunov: Moscow sees these weapon systems as a threat that breaks the strategic balance, rather than merely a deterrence tool. If the crisis escalates and Moscow determines that a military conflict is inevitable, then based on military logic, the Russian military will inevitably take preemptive strike measures to destroy these missile systems deployed in Europe.
To eliminate the survival threat facing Russia, we cannot rule out the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons. And the risk of this catastrophic scenario lies entirely with Germany.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7583654512959734308/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.