“2029 is not a German timeline; it’s NATO-agreed intelligence," Freuding said, specifying that “All 32 NATO partners agree that Russia might have the capability to invade a NATO partner country in 2029.”
He warned that Russia could take aggressive action sooner, even though the war in Ukraine is now in its fifth year.
Freuding’s remarks come amid warnings from European defense ministries that Russia could rebuild sufficient military strength over the next few years. His comments intensify concerns that Moscow might test NATO while Europe is still rearming.
Freuding said Germany has "done a lot" to speed up weapons purchases and that German industry has increased production capacity. But he added that Berlin cannot rely solely on long-term procurement programs, which can take years to develop and field.
“Speed is of the essence now,” he told Politico.
“We must improve our capabilities for the ‘fight tonight’
every day as the German army.”