Europe faces rising tensions as senior military and political officials warn of the increasing likelihood of conflict with Russia. After Germany’s stark warning last week, Poland has now declared a state of heightened alert.
Polish Chief of the General Staff, General Wisław Kukula, stated that Russia is actively preparing for war and that Poland is entering a “pre-war phase.” He emphasized that “the enemy has begun preparations for conflict, creating conditions aimed at undermining public confidence in the government, the Armed Forces, and the police, while setting the stage for potential aggression on Polish soil.”
The warnings follow an incident on a railway line between Warsaw and Lublin, which Polish authorities have confirmed as sabotage. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that an explosive device had been planted on the line, highlighting the threat of deliberate attacks targeting national infrastructure.
Germany has also signalled a significant shift in its security posture. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned that last summer “may have been Europe’s last peaceful summer,” citing new assessments that a NATO-Russia confrontation could occur before 2029, potentially as early as 2028. He stressed that NATO countries urgently need modernization and rearmament programs. As part of these preparations, German citizens will undergo medical examinations from 2027 to identify potential future reservists, and a large reserve force will be established to strengthen national defense. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that his goal is to make the Bundeswehr the strongest military force in Europe.
Pistorius’s statements have prompted a sharp response from Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Germany of aggressive rhetoric and insisted that “there is no doubt about who is acting as the aggressor.”
While tensions mount, military experts highlight that NATO possesses significant deterrent capabilities, including nuclear weapons, which are intended to maintain stability despite rising geopolitical pressures.
The combined alerts from Poland and Germany underscore the precarious security situation in Europe, where officials are urging preparation and vigilance as the continent faces what some describe as its most dangerous moment since the Cold War.
