In an interview with the Swiss Zeitfragen im Focus journal on October 21 (https://zgif.ch/2026/10/21/ein-offener-krieg-mit-russland-muss-verhindert-werden/), Gen (ret.) Harald Kujat warns that the escalated situation between NATO and Russia could mount into an open war between the two, and that “What is needed now are leaders with foresight in security policy and strategic judgment” The people are being prepared for a war as allegedly “inevitable,” the political situation is highly volatile.

“The current situation is indeed characterized by a classic escalation dynamic. As a result, a major European war can no longer be ruled out. In fact, the risk has risen steadily. Contributing factors include the European NATO member states’ financial and material commitment—for which there is no alternative—as well as, in particular, their support for the Ukrainian armed forces in operational planning, reconnaissance, and precision strikes.

An open war with Russia must be prevented at all costs. Since Western diplomacy toward Russia has been suspended for years, there is also no suitable crisis management in place. Furthermore, the mechanism agreed upon in 1997 between NATO and Russia—which was intended to enable the joint peaceful resolution of crises and conflicts and prevent a dangerous situation like the one we face today—was suspended by NATO following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

This silence must be overcome in our own well-understood interest. President Trump has led by example and brought Putin back onto the world stage as a partner in the search for a mutually agreed-upon negotiated peace.”