Russia Terminates Military Cooperation Agreement with Germany Amid Rising Tensions

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has officially terminated the 1996 military-technical cooperation agreement between Russia and Germany, citing Berlin's "openly hostile" policies and increasingly aggressive militaristic ambitions. This move marks a significant deterioration in bilateral relations, which have been strained due to Germany's support for Ukraine and sanctions against Moscow amid the ongoing conflict. The agreement, once a symbol of post-Cold War cooperation, is now considered by Russia as having lost its practical significance. Moscow has dismissed Western concerns about potential Russian aggression while accusing the West of inflating military budgets and covering economic failures. In response to Western pressures, Russia is pivoting towards closer ties with countries like North Korea, Iran, and China, with recent diplomatic engagements including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visits to North Korea and a BRICS summit in Brazil. German officials have announced plans to boost military spending and consider reinstating conscription, reflecting the heightened tensions between the two nations.