Overview

• Merz recently reiterated the formulation in Berlin and at a Düsseldorf forum, moving a once niche security phrase into his public message.
• Defense Minister Boris Pistorius had already said Germany is not in complete peace and warned that the country is being attacked through drones and disinformation.
• Coverage cites a pattern attributed to Russia that includes cyberattacks, sabotage in the Baltic Sea, strikes on infrastructure, and systematic airspace violations.
• The escalated framing carries political risk as AfD and BSW accuse the government of war-mongering ahead of 2026 state elections.
• Merz supports higher defense outlays via the €100 billion Bundeswehr fund and looser fiscal limits but has not delivered Taurus missiles to Ukraine and avoids the term “war readiness.”