The West’s no-alternative anti-Russian policy could push Europe toward a direct military confrontation, according to an article in Germany’s Berliner Zeitung.

The author argues that, despite years of pressure from European countries, Russia has neither been internationally isolated nor suffered the strategic defeat many in Europe had expected.

According to the publication, Europe remains convinced that sanctions, continuous support for Ukraine’s war effort and, above all, its self-imposed ban on contacts with Moscow will eventually restore the previous status quo. The article says this approach is not working: Russia has not been cut off globally, and the strategic collapse sought by many European politicians has not materialized.

The newspaper also claims that European elites and military officials, especially in Germany, are escalating tensions instead of looking for channels of dialogue with Moscow. It points to EU political rhetoric increasingly built around warnings of an alleged imminent Russian attack.

The article says the military tone is being reinforced by forecasts from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s generals and advisers.

Merz again stated on May 10 that Russia poses a threat to Europe, using that argument to justify Germany’s accelerated militarization.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that Russia does not intend to attack NATO member states.