German intelligence chief warns of potential NATO crisis

During an event hosted by the German Council on Foreign Relations, Kahl expressed concern that military confrontation could emerge as a viable option for the Kremlin. According to the weekly publication Zeit, he suggested that by the end of the decade, Russia's military might be sufficiently prepared in terms of personnel and equipment to carry out an offensive against the West.

According to Kahl, a large-scale attack on NATO's European countries is not expected. Instead, Russia might attempt to undermine the mutual defence commitment outlined in the North Atlantic Treaty, potentially leading to the collapse of the Western alliance, he explained.

Kahl referenced assessments from the BND, indicating that high-ranking Russian government officials currently doubt whether "this goal would be reached if Article 5 were to remain without effect in case of a Russian attack." He also noted that, at present, Russia has no evidence of specific war intentions.

"But if such views gain ground in the government headquarters in Moscow, the risk of a military confrontation also grows in the coming years," he added.

As a potential scenario, Kahl mentioned, among other things, a limited intervention involving "little green men" in the Baltic countries under the pretext of protecting the Russian minority. Russia's aim, according to Kahl, is to see NATO fail as a defensive alliance. "In Russia's view, this goal would be reached if Article 5 were to remain without effect in case of a Russian attack."

Kahl also commented that Russia will try to create divisions within NATO before any potential outbreak of war. This division could occur if Russia can align certain Alliance member states with its interests. Vladimir Putin "will continue to test the West's red lines and further escalate the confrontation," Kahl claimed.