"Are you ready for war?"; Threat lurks from Russia - "We have to stop them"

Military exercises near the small town of Münster, a German city, have been so frequent lately that the locals barely notice them. Explosions and noise have become part of everyday life, but their lives may soon become even louder. As the BBC reports, Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, has been given the go-ahead for a major investment boost as parliament no longer restricts defense spending to debt rules. Major General Carsten Breuer told the BBC that the money is urgently needed because he believes Russia will not stop at Ukraine.

"Russia is threatening us. Putin is threatening us. We have to stop them," Breuer says, adding that NATO could be attacked in four years.

"Our time depends on how much Putin gives us to prepare. The sooner we are ready, the better," he claims.

The Russian attack on Ukraine changed attitudes in Germany. People there have long rejected military power because of Germany's past and role in Europe. Markus Zinner of the German Marshall Fund in Berlin says:

"We started two world wars. Even though it's been 80 years, many still think we shouldn't get involved in conflicts."

Some still fear militarism, and the military has been underfunded for years. While Poland and the Baltic countries warned against Russia and strengthened their defenses, Germany under Angela Merkel cooperated with Moscow. They thought trade would bring democracy, but Russia took the money and invaded Ukraine. As the BBC reports, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a major upheaval in 2022, the "Zeitenwende" and promised 100 billion euros for the army to stop "war mongers like Putin." But Breuer says that's not enough.

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"We fixed some holes, but the condition is bad," he admits. Russia invests in weapons and equipment for the fronts in Ukraine, uses cyber attacks, sabotage and unknown drones over German bases. Breuer sees danger in Putin's aggression and believes that Germany must act quickly.

The report to the parliament confirms that the Bundeswehr lacks everything - from ammunition to soldiers, and military barracks, bases and equipment are also in poor condition. Eva Hogl estimates that 67 billion euros are needed for reconstruction. Removing the debt limit will give the military constant access to money, Breuer says. That decision was made by Friedrich Mertz, Scholz's possible successor, shortly before the dissolution of parliament after the February elections. The new parliament, with its anti-military left and pro-Russian right, may not support the move. However, the turnaround started in 2022 continues. The poll shows that 79 percent of Germans see Putin as a danger to peace in Europe, and 74 percent think the same about Donald Trump after his vice president's speech in Munich:

Markus Zinner says: "We don't know where America is going, but the confidence that it can protect us has disappeared. In Berlin, the fear of the military is waning."

Charlotte Kreft (18) says she has abandoned her pacifist stance: "We thought we were redeeming ourselves with demilitarization, but now we have to defend democracy and freedom."

Ludwig Stein adds: "Many find it strange to invest in the army, but we have no choice." Sophie, a young mother, considers defense necessary, but does not want her son to serve in the army.

Recruitment Center

The Bundeswehr has only one recruitment center in Berlin, between a drugstore and a shoe store. It tries to attract young people with military dolls and slogans, but few come. Germany failed to increase the number of soldiers to 203,000. Breuer wants 100,000 more people, a total of 460,000 with reserves, and says that requires conscription.

"Without it, we won't get soldiers," he claims.

The debate about it is just beginning. Breuer goes around town halls and asks people, "Are you ready for war?" One woman accused him of scaring her, and he replied: "I'm not scaring you, the other one is!", referring to Putin.

Breuer believes that Germany must understand Russia's threat and America's insecurity and change.

"Now everyone understands that we have to act," he concludes.