Russian threat extends beyond war in Ukraine, says Germany's Wadephul

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned against underestimating the danger posed by Russia, even if the war in Ukraine comes to an end.

"Even if the fighting were to stop now, what remains is an imperial and aggressive Russia whose ambitions extend far beyond Ukraine," said Wadephul at the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum on Tuesday.

He said Russia has largely geared its economy and society towards war, and is recruiting far more soldiers than it currently needs for its war in Ukraine, amounting to almost one additional division per month.

"Divisions that are undoubtedly also targeting us, the EU and NATO," he warned.

German intelligence services believe that Russia is intending to be ready for at least "the option of war" against NATO by 2029.

The threat from Moscow is already a reality, he argued, with an increasingly blurred line between war and peace through the use of hybrid warfare.

This includes drone flights, airspace violations, acts of sabotage and fake news campaigns, Wadephul said.

Regarding US President Donald Trump's 28-point proposal for a peace solution for Ukraine, Wadephul said Washington "sometimes has an unorthodox way of approaching problems."

However, US officials have also been surprisingly flexible and willing to engage with their negotiating partners, including Europe, the German foreign minister explained.

Wadephul called the US plan - which garnered intense criticism in Europe and Kiev as being far too favourable to Russia - an "initial proposal."

Europe is "being heard" and "involved" in negotiations to end the conflict, he said.