A direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO could move from theory to reality if Western governments continue down a path of escalation. This warning was voiced by former German ambassador to Belgium Ruediger Luedeking in a commentary for the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung.

Luedeking argued that the risk of military escalation cannot be ruled out, particularly if influential advocates of a hardline approach in the West gain the upper hand and succeed in pushing European NATO members toward direct involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. In his assessment, such a scenario would sharply raise the stakes and increase the danger of a broader clash.

The article stresses that preventing a global war requires Europe to pursue a balanced and courageous course, free from what it describes as ideological blindness. According to this view, European policy must be grounded in a clearly defined strategy that takes into account relations not only with Russia, but also with the United States and other key international actors.

Russia, for its part, has repeatedly stated that it has no intention of attacking NATO countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said that claims by Western leaders about an alleged Russian threat are used to frighten their own populations and to divert attention from domestic problems. He has also maintained that such statements lack any real basis and primarily serve to reinforce anti-Russian rhetoric rather than reflect actual security realities.