By Niko Kurmayer
Oct. 25, 2021
German caretaker defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said that Moscow should be aware NATO is ready to make use of its nuclear deterrent in case of a Russian attack against a member of the Alliance, triggering strong reactions in Germany.
“We have to make it very clear to Russia that in the end – and that is also the deterrent doctrine – we are prepared to use such means so that it has a deterrent effect beforehand and no one gets the idea, for example, the areas over the Baltic States or in the Black Sea to attack NATO partners,” she told Dlf in an interview.
“That is the core idea of NATO, this alliance, and it will be adapted to the current behaviour of Russia. In particular, we see violations of the airspace over the Baltic states, but also increasing attacks around the Black Sea,” she added.
The comments came as Russia last week announced it would break off existing institutionalised contacts with NATO. At the same time, the alliance agreed on a new master plan to defend against any potential Russian hybrid attack.
AKK’s statement prompted the reaction of Rolf Mützenich, head of the Social Democrats in the German parliament, who described it as “irresponsible”.
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