Johann Wadefuhl: Russia plans expansion against Georgia, Moldova, the Baltic states and Poland

Expansion of the Kremlin's spheres of influence

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadefuhl emphasised that the aggression of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is not limited to the war against Ukraine. According to the German diplomat, Moscow's strategic intentions also include Georgia, Moldova, the Baltic states and Poland.

According to Wadefuhl, the Kremlin's actions are motivated by a desire to rectify what it perceives as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century" – namely, the collapse of the Soviet Union, which occurred in 1991.

Minister's quote on Russia's targets

«Якщо це була "найбільша катастрофа", то він, мабуть, хоче її виправити. Сюди входять Україна, Грузія, Молдова та країни Балтії. Останні – це члени ЄС і НАТО» (If it was the "greatest catastrophe", then he probably wants to fix it. This includes Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic states. The latter are members of the EU and NATO), Wadefuhl noted.

Threat to Germany's security

The head of the German foreign ministry stressed that the security of the Federal Republic of Germany could be compromised not only in the event of a direct invasion of its territory. Unauthorised crossings of the borders of neighbouring states, particularly Poland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania, also pose a serious threat.

Wadefuhl called Russian imperialism the most significant threat to the European continent and emphasised that doubting this is irresponsible. At the same time, he considers it "quite likely" that in the future Europe will be able to build good relations with Russia.