The highest-ranking military commanders from Germany and the United Kingdom have issued a joint, unprecedented appeal to European societies. General Carsten Breuer and Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton warn that Russia has switched its economy to a war footing and is modernizing its armed forces at a pace that threatens NATO's security. The military leaders call for an immediate increase in defense spending and a change in citizens' approach to armaments and combat readiness.

Unprecedented appeal from commanders

The highest-ranking military officers from Germany and the United Kingdom warn of Russian aggression and call for the immediate remilitarization of Europe.

Russian armaments in the Arctic

Moscow is building new military bases and expanding the range of its weapons, shifting its forces increasingly clearly in a western direction.

Moral aspect of armaments

Air Chief Marshal Knighton and Gen. Breuer argue that deterrence is a moral duty, and armaments are not warmongering.

In an unprecedented joint manifesto published in the newspapers 'The Guardian' and 'Die Welt', leading military commanders from Western Europe warn of the real threat of an armed conflict with the Russian Federation. Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Gen. Carsten Breuer and the British Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, point out that the Kremlin's aggressive intentions extend far beyond the current conflict in Ukraine. Russia is not only rebuilding its losses but also dynamically expanding its military presence, creating new bases and modernizing its arsenal all the way to Arctic regions. According to the military leaders, Europe's security is no longer a given forever, and peace requires active and costly rearmament. Since 2014, following Russia's annexation of Crimea, NATO states have regularly strengthened readiness on the eastern flank, but only the full-scale invasion of 2022 forced a revision of the defense strategy of major European powers. The authors of the appeal place particular emphasis on the moral dimension of armaments. They stress that preparing for defense is not warmongering, but the most effective way to avoid war through effective deterrence. A key element of the new strategy must be the rapid development of the defense industry, which will ensure a continuous supply of ammunition and modern weaponry. The generals note that Moscow has shifted the focus of its operations to the West, which directly threatens NATO countries, including Poland and the Baltic states. This situation requires European governments to have an honest conversation with citizens about the need to make financial sacrifices for common security. „Arming ourselves is not warmongering; it is a moral duty to protect our societies from aggression.” — Carsten Breuer and Richard Knighton Military experts note that Russia is drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine and adapting its tactics to fight modern Western systems. It is emphasized that time is working against the North Atlantic Alliance if the pace of investment in defense does not radically accelerate. This appeal, delivered just after the conclusion of the Munich Security Conference, sends a clear signal to the Continent's political elites: the era of the peace dividend is definitively over. Liberal media emphasize the need to strengthen NATO structures and the moral duty to protect democracy from authoritarianism. | Conservative editorial boards stress the need for military sovereignty, national armaments, and a tough stance against Kremlin imperialism.

Mentioned People

  • Carsten Breuer — Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, the highest-ranking soldier in the German armed forces.
  • Richard Knighton — British Air Chief Marshal, Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force.