Germany Prepares Troops to Kill Russian Soldiers if NATO Attacked

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius declared that Germany is prepared to kill Russian soldiers if Russia attacks a NATO member state, underscoring the necessity of maintaining peace from a position of strength. This marks a significant shift from Germany's historical military restraint, reflecting increased readiness as tensions with Russia escalate following its invasion of Ukraine. Pistorius highlighted the establishment of a permanent German brigade in Lithuania as a symbol of this commitment and emphasized that German troops understand their responsibilities in defending NATO allies. NATO officials, including Secretary General Mark Rutte, have warned that Russia could attack NATO countries within the next five to seven years, especially if deterrence efforts falter. While Germany aims to bolster its defense capabilities with increased spending and new military procurements, it continues to balance this with limited availability of certain resources, such as Patriot missile systems, and has refrained from supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. The evolving stance reflects broader European efforts to deter Russian aggression amid concerns that China might encourage Russia to divert NATO's attention by instigating conflict in Europe.