German intelligence to pursue higher-risk operations amid Russia threat: BND chief

BERLIN

Germany's foreign intelligence service, the BND, will become more operational and take higher risks in its activities, its new chief announced on Monday.

Martin Jaeger told lawmakers during a public committee hearing in parliament that Germany must prepare for further escalations by Russia and said the BND will undergo changes to meet new security challenges.

"We will take higher risks in a targeted and consistent manner. This will enable us to obtain intelligence that reveals what our opponents are aiming for and, ideally, exposes their weaknesses," he said.

"We must confront our opponents wherever necessary. This attitude will also apply to the BND. The service must and will become more operational and more compatible with its European and international partners,” he stressed.

Jaeger, who became the BND's new chief last month after a long diplomatic career at the Foreign Ministry, described Russia as the greatest threat to Europe. He warned against complacency in assuming a possible Russian attack would not come before 2029.

"We are already under fire today," Jaeger said, accusing Russia of waging a hybrid war against European countries through alleged attempts to manipulate elections, disinformation campaigns, sabotage acts, contract killings, and airspace violations by drones and fighter aircraft.

"Russia camouflages its intentions but aims to test our boundaries. In Europe, there is at best an icy peace that can turn into hot confrontations at any point. We must prepare for further escalations," Jaeger warned.

"Russia's actions are designed to undermine NATO, destabilize European democracies, and divide and intimidate our societies. Europe is to be paralyzed by fear and inaction and driven to self-abandonment," he continued.

"This is how Moscow sees realistic chances to expand its sphere of influence westward and bring economically superior Europe into dependence on Russia. To achieve this goal, Russia will not shy away from a direct military confrontation with NATO, if necessary," he added.