Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the country's armed forces estimate that Russia views the West as a systemic enemy, is building up its military power and preparing for a large-scale confrontation with NATO.
The assessment, which is also reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, WDR and NDR, suggests that Putin will not be satisfied with Ukraine alone.
By the end of the decade, Russia is likely to have created all the necessary conditions to be able to wage a "large-scale conventional war".
The Lithuanian Intelligence Service (VSD) believes that Russia is not yet in a position to wage a large-scale conventional war against NATO in the medium term.
Putin is allegedly planning to test how seriously NATO countries actually take the obligation to provide assistance under Article 5 of the NATO Treaty in case of emergency.
The Bundeswehr and the BND report that Russia's military economy produces more than it needs for the war in Ukraine.
Background: NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently promised a devastating response to Putin for an attack on Poland or any other NATO country. »
