Three years after the start of the Ukraine war, German Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) assesses the situation as a new dimension of threat in light of Russia’s hybrid warfare.
“The security situation has deteriorated significantly” the SPD politician told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. “Putin is acting absolutely unscrupulously.” This is evident in the “brutality” with which he is waging a war of aggression not only against Ukraine’s military but also against its civilian population, as well as in cyber attacks or disinformation campaigns. There are also an increase in attacks on critical infrastructure and a surge in sabotage and espionage cases.
“We are the largest supporter of Ukraine in Europe, and that’s what Putin is targeting” Faeser said. “That’s why we’re taking the threat more seriously and talking to companies about better protection, especially in the defense industry.” The Ministry of the Interior is also preparing for the expansion of shelter spaces. “We’re currently looking into how basements in public buildings, underground garages, or subway stations can be used as shelters” the minister said. Currently, there are only around 480,000 shelter spaces available for approximately 80 million people. “The goal is to create a system that quickly shows people on their phone where they can find shelter nearby.”
The minister also accuses the Kremlin of trying to fuel migration “to destabilize states.” At border controls, the minister intends to maintain the current system for the long term. “We need these controls until the new asylum system kicks in.” The controls have sent an important signal in Europe, the minister said: “Germany has fulfilled its humanitarian responsibility for refugees on a much larger scale than other states, and it’s not going to be that way anymore.”
Faeser rejects a proposal by CDU leader Friedrich Merz to potentially strip citizens of their nationality after severe criminal offenses, calling it “contrary to the Constitution.” The minister also dismisses criticism from the CDU that the government has failed to address the issue of migration. “The opposite is true” Faeser said. “We’ve ensured more control and order.” The minister attributes the CDU’s populist migration rhetoric to the election campaign, saying “the Union is riding the populist wave on the issue of migration in the election campaign.