Wolfgang Ischinger warns Russia’s strategic goal is to expel the US from Europe

Wolfgang Ischinger, President of the Munich Security Conference, warned in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel that if a peace agreement or ceasefire is declared in Ukraine, Russia will likely continue to expand its military power without hindrance.

Ischinger argued that such a development would significantly elevate the threat level for nations on NATO’s eastern flank.

Contending that Ukraine is currently defending not only its own sovereignty but the entirety of Europe against Russian aggression, Ischinger emphasized that Western support for Kyiv should not be viewed as “charity,” but rather as a fundamental matter of European self-interest and security.

Russia’s goal: Ending the American presence in Europe

Addressing the strategic intentions of President Vladimir Putin, Ischinger asserted that Moscow’s primary objective is the expulsion of the US from Europe.

Ischinger noted that Putin seeks a return to the geopolitical status quo as it existed prior to 1997, a period before NATO expanded to include nations such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

Recalling that these objectives align with old Soviet-era doctrines, the Conference President warned Western leaders not to dismiss these goals as mere “intellectual games,” but to treat them with the utmost gravity.

“We know Putin’s objective; he has written it himself. He wants to restore the status quo of the pre-1997 era, before Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and other states began joining NATO,” Ischinger stated. “Putin wants the Americans out of Europe; he is pursuing a long-standing Soviet goal. We must take all of this seriously and stop treating these claims as if they were merely academic exercises.”

Escalating mutual accusations between NATO and Moscow

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has intensified calls for member states to ramp up defense spending and military production, maintaining that the alliance remains Russia’s ultimate target.

In a statement in June 2025, Rutte—citing military intelligence—claimed that Russia could be capable of launching an attack on NATO territory within five years.

In response, Russia’s Ambassador to Belgium, Denis Gonchar, argued that Europe is undergoing rapid militarization and that continental economies are being shifted to a “war footing.” Gonchar claimed that European governments are systematically preparing public opinion for an inevitable confrontation with Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has dismissed such warnings as “nonsense,” denying any intention of going to war with Europe.

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that these warnings have proliferated alongside debates within NATO to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. Peskov stated that Russia remains acutely aware of the risks of conflict with Europe and has already taken the necessary preemptive measures to ensure its own national security.