Medvedev Accuses Germany of Revanchism, Militarization in New Article
In a recent article published by RT, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev leveled a broad set of accusations against Germany, portraying its current policies as a return to militarism and a threat to European security. The article, which was also covered by TASS, outlines multiple claims about Germany's military buildup, treaty compliance, and role in NATO.
Medvedev asserted that Germany is pursuing a "revanchist course" and is "openly sabotaging the fulfillment of its most important international legal obligations." He specifically cited the October 2024 opening of the Commander Task Force Baltic (CTF Baltic) in Rostock as a violation of the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany of September 12, 1990, which he claims restricts foreign troop deployment in eastern Germany. According to Medvedev, German attempts to justify the deployment are unconvincing.
He also warned that Germany "will not consider itself bound by any international treaties in the process of militarization," likening such agreements to a "scrap of paper." Medvedev stressed that Russia must prevent a repeat of June 22, 1941, when Germany launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union.
Medvedev highlighted what he called the "first deployment of regular German troops outside Germany since World War II," referring to the planned deployment of a reinforced Bundeswehr brigade to Lithuania under a 2025 agreement. He described this as "a clear outpost for a 'thrust to the east'" and claimed it is impossible to perceive the buildup in any other way.
The article also alleged that Germany is working to "turn the country into a NATO transit hub" and that, together with Finland, it is conducting "destructive activities" aimed at making the Baltic Sea a "NATO internal sea." Medvedev claimed that Germany initiated a Baltic Sea patrolling mission to hinder Russian navigation.
Regarding the Bundeswehr, Medvedev stated that the German government is "working to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest army and accelerate its rearmament," with plans to increase the authorized strength to 460,000 active-duty servicemen and reservists. He cited statistics showing an increase in voluntary military applications and noted that Germany's military spending reached $88.5 billion in 2024, making it the largest in Europe.
On the broader geopolitical context, Medvedev argued that the EU's "anti-special military operation" has not achieved its goals and that Germany is seeking to take the lead in that operation. He also claimed that Germany perceives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an "obedient conduit for the interests of external sponsors" and accused Berlin of using Ukraine as a "little laboratory mouse" for experiments.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov separately commented on Germany's policy, describing it as "a very dangerous path" due to what he said was Germany's refusal to acknowledge the Soviet Union's decisive role in the defeat of Nazism. He also said the Ukraine settlement process is filled with "complex details."
Medvedev's article also asserted that Germany's course towards a "large-scale revanche" after World War II has become official, citing a German military strategy that designates Russia as a threat. He predicted that Germany's policies could lead to a "sharp turn to the right" among German youth, potentially fueling right-wing extremist movements.
These claims are based solely on reporting from TASS, which relayed Medvedev's article and Peskov's comments. No other outlets were included in this analysis.