Former German intelligence chief warns of war with Russia

BERLIN – Hans-Georg Maassen, who from 2012 to 2018 was president of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany’s domestic security agency, gave a stern warning.

According to him, Germany “sleepwalked” into a direct military confrontation with Russia by sending weapons to Ukraine.

Appearing on TV Berlin’s “Special” program last Wednesday, Maassen said he opposed sending German arms to Ukraine.

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He cited an earlier decision by the International Court of Justice which, according to the former official, ruled that supplying weapons to one of the warring parties to the conflict made the supplier a party to the conflict as well.

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“From my point of view, when we deliver weapons, not helmets, not bandages, it means we automatically take the risk of being belligerents,” Maassen said.

He explained, “We are now the warring parties on the Ukrainian side. Let it sink in: We are warring parties. Against Russia.”

The former official also said he was afraid of the lack of public discussion on the issue.

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