Washington – Berlin – Zaytoun News
A senior official from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration issued an unprecedented warning to Western diplomats during a meeting held in Kyiv last week, amid growing concerns over Russia’s military superiority and slowing Western support for Ukraine.
The official, Dan Driscoll, U.S. Secretary of the Army and a key figure in efforts to end the war, revealed that Russia has reached an advanced stage in missile production, enabling it not only to continue attacks on Ukraine but also to build a dangerous strategic stockpile of long-range weapons.
The official stated that Europe “is ignoring the reality that Russia is rapidly rebuilding its military capabilities,” warning that any hesitation in supporting European defenses could expose the continent to unprecedented security shocks.
According to Western officials who attended the meeting, Driscoll explained that Russia is no longer launching missiles at the same high rate as in previous years but has begun stockpiling them for future use. Attendees concluded that Moscow could soon possess a larger and more powerful missile force capable of striking Ukraine and directly threatening other European countries.
U.S. and Ukrainian estimates indicate that Russia produces thousands of missiles annually, including Iskander, Kinzhal, and Kalibr missiles, while launching fewer than it produces, indicating a significant accumulation of stockpiles.
These statements came at a time when Washington is pressuring European countries to support political efforts aimed at ending the war.
Despite the warnings, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia “does not plan to attack Europe,” dismissing Western warnings as “absurd.” He added that Russia is ready to engage in discussions on European security and described Trump’s plan to end the war as “a foundation for potential future agreements.”
These warnings coincide with an increase in Russian attacks in recent months. In September, the Ukrainian government building in Kyiv was targeted, along with an American-operated factory in western Ukraine. This week, Russia launched a new barrage of ballistic and submarine-launched missiles toward the capital. A Russian strike in Ternopil last week killed dozens of civilians.
Amid these developments, Germany is preparing for a more serious scenario. After years of secret planning, Berlin has begun implementing the “German Operations Plan”, a 1,200-page document revealed by The Wall Street Journal. The plan details how up to 800,000 troops from Germany, the United States, and other European countries could be deployed to the frontlines if a major conflict with Russia breaks out.
The plan encompasses all infrastructure elements, including ports, rivers, railways, roads, supply chains, and internal security.
Germany, which describes itself as once again “the continent’s leading military power,” is attempting to address weaknesses such as bureaucracy, workforce shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure.
Senior German military officials warn that Russia could be prepared to attack NATO member states by 2029. They note that sabotage, airspace breaches, and Russian espionage all reduce Europe’s margin for error and heighten the risk of miscalculation.
To meet these challenges, Germany is conducting joint exercises with police and emergency services. A recent drill in Hamburg exposed significant gaps in operational capacity, including a two-hour delay of a military convoy due to protesters that police could not quickly disperse.
Berlin is also investing in rebuilding bridges, ports, and transportation networks, and is seeking to involve private companies such as Rheinmetall to establish rapid-deployment logistical bases.
In France, concerns over the Russian threat have entered the heart of political debate. President Emmanuel Macron recently proposed expanding national conscription to include all youth aged 18–19, aiming to increase the size of reserve forces annually.
French Chief of Staff General Fabien Mendon recently warned that Russia could be ready for military confrontation with Europe by 2030, urging citizens to “prepare for sacrifices”, a statement that sparked widespread controversy.
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