Germany Says Latest Russian Threats Justify Military Expansion

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said recent Russian aerial incursions on NATO’s eastern flank more than ever justify his government’s move to massively ramp up spending on the armed forces.

Presenting his 2026 budget to parliament in Berlin Tuesday, Klingbeil told lawmakers that one of the key elements of the draft finance plan is to forge ahead with bolstering Germany’s “deterrence and defense capability” to counter the rising threat from the Kremlin.