Heads of German and British armies warn against Russia and call for European rearmament

A joint article by General Carsten Breuer and Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, published in the dailies „The Guardian” and „Die Welt”, marks a breakthrough in military communication with civilians. The commanders of Europe's two largest military powers argue that rearmament is not warmongering but a necessary deterrent. The military officials indicate that the Russian war machine is drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and systematically shifting its focus westward. According to the authors, Russia already poses an existential threat to the international order, and its ambitions extend far beyond the current theater of war. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO countries have progressively moved away from the policy of „peace dividend” towards strengthening the Alliance's eastern flank. The previous significant increase in tension with Moscow was noted during the Cold War, which forced Germany and the United Kingdom to maintain huge conventional armies. The authors of the appeal place particular emphasis on the moral dimension of citizens supporting defense spending. Knighton and Breuer note that societies must accept a new reality in which peace is not given forever. This requires not only the purchase of modern equipment, such as tanks or anti-aircraft systems, but also strengthening the defense industry, which must be capable of mass-producing ammunition continuously. The commanders directly call the current situation a critical moment for the continent's security, requiring honest dialogue with taxpayers about the costs of freedom. <cytat autor=