Bundeswehr general says Russia-Ukraine war fundamentally shifts Germany's strategic culture

The Russia-Ukraine war has fundamentally changed Germany's strategic culture, Bundeswehr Major General Wolf-Jürgen Stahl, president of the Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS), said in an interview with Ukrinform.

Stahl cited Germany's first-ever decision to supply weapons to an active war zone – Ukraine – as a concrete manifestation of this shift. "I am convinced that this war has changed the priorities of security policy in Germany. A vivid example is that, for the first time, a decision was made to supply weapons to an active war zone – Ukraine. This can be considered a concrete manifestation of a change in strategic culture," Stahl said.

He also noted that in 2023, Germany formulated its National Security Strategy in writing for the first time in history, introducing the concept of "integrated security." Stahl defined integrated security as encompassing military, economic, development, domestic and foreign security, and economic, digital, and even spiritual dimensions. "This means that security should be understood comprehensively, and it must be ensured at the level of the entire state and the whole society. It is not only about the military dimension, but also about the economy, development, domestic and foreign security, as well as economic, digital, and even spiritual dimensions," he explained.

Stahl added that Germany now views security within the continuum of "peace – crisis – war." "Relevant measures must be prepared already in peacetime in order to withstand a crisis and be ready for war," he said.

The general praised Ukrainian society's ability to resist Russian aggression, saying it has endured the attack for more than four years. "It is impressive with what determination Ukraine is able to sustain the resistance of its society. The fact that the Ukrainian people have endured this aggressive attack for more than four years – an attack that violates international law and disregards human dignity – deserves the highest respect," he stressed.

Stahl said Ukraine is fighting for Europe's security, stating: "by doing so, Ukraine is also fighting for our security."

Last summer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the creation of Germany's National Security Council, a new body aimed at simplifying high-level consultations on defense and security issues.