Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a German MP, urges activation of 900,000 reservists as tensions rise with Russia. Concerns over Putin’s aggression and hybrid warfare tactics prompt readiness for defence. International summits planned to address global challenges and unity amidst uncertainties in American foreign policy.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a German MP from the liberal FDP party and chair of the Defence Committee at the Bundestag, has called for Germany to activate approximately 900,000 reservists. She expressed concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin is gearing up for an extended conflict with the West. Strack-Zimmermann emphasized that Russia is fully on a war footing and that Germany must be prepared to defend itself.
The call comes amid heightened tensions as Strack-Zimmermann warned that Putin would persist in his aggressive actions if he succeeded in Ukraine. She pointed out that the Russian government heavily focuses on weapon production and uses educational materials to depict Germany as the aggressor. This build-up of a war narrative, she suggested, is part of a broader strategy against Western nations.
Earlier, the chairman of the German Reservists Association, Patrick Sensburg, recommended systematically recording the health status and availability of former soldiers and allowing them to undergo training again. This aligns with apprehensions of an extended Russian threat compelling Germany to meet NATO’s 2 percent military spending target for the first time.
The request for activating reservists stems not only from conventional military concerns but also from the hybrid warfare techniques alleged to be employed by Russia, such as cyber attacks and manipulating refugee crises.
In related developments, Western leaders are preparing for a series of summits beginning with the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy and a NATO summit in Washington. These meetings aim to project unity amidst growing challenges, including the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the rise of China, and the looming U.S. presidential elections.
President Biden’s participation is expected to bolster support, although his election battle with former President Donald Trump raises concerns about the future direction of American foreign policy. Trump has been vocal about his criticisms of NATO, which adds an element of uncertainty about the U.S.’s long-term commitments to the alliance.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged world leaders to attend a conference in Switzerland focused on ending the war in Ukraine. However, the participation of major powers like China remains uncertain, and their absence might hinder potential outcomes.
