This is the European twist on Doomsday prepping.
Classified documents unveiled on Wednesday show that Germany is strategizing for a scenario in which up to 800,000 NATO troops, including American forces, might be deployed to Ukraine in response to escalating nuclear threats from Russia, the NY Post reports.
Dubbed “Operation Deutschland,” the 1,000-page plan outlines how Germany could gear up for a potential World War III scenario.
According to the German publication Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the confidential blueprint specifies which critical buildings and infrastructure must be safeguarded for military use. It also provides guidelines for businesses and civilians on how to brace for heightened threats.
Additionally, the plan proposes a logistical framework for transporting 200,000 military vehicles across German territory if NATO becomes actively involved in supporting Ukraine. Further details about these plans remain classified.
Germany has also been encouraging its citizens to enhance their ability to weather crises. Recommendations include installing diesel generators or wind turbines to ensure self-sufficiency, according to the report.
The concern isn’t limited to Germany. Sweden and Norway have both issued instructional materials advising their populations on how to prepare for the possibility of the Ukraine conflict spilling over into their countries.
Tensions have heightened further following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Tuesday that Moscow has altered its nuclear strike policy. Russia now reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in retaliation against non-nuclear, conventional military strikes.
Germany’s government, often criticized for its seemingly slow response to Ukraine’s needs since 2022, pushed back against fears that it might waver in light of these developments. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made Germany’s stance clear on Tuesday: “We will not let ourselves be intimidated” by Putin’s nuclear rhetoric.
“Putin is playing with our fear. He didn’t just start doing this 1,000 days ago [when Russia invaded Ukraine], he started back in 2014 [when Russia annexed Crimea],” she said. “Germany, in particular, made the mistake back then, especially politically, of allowing itself to be intimidated by this fear — and above all, not listening to its partners, especially our Eastern European partners, who made it clear at the time that we must not rely on promises from the Kremlin.”
She added, “We must invest in our own security and protection.”
The change in Russia’s nuclear doctrine coincides with another significant shift in the conflict: the U.S. decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking targets up to 190 miles into Russian territory. This eliminates a zone that had previously been considered out of Ukraine’s reach.
The U.S. move and Germany’s reported planning were likely influenced by Russia’s request for North Korea to contribute at least 10,000 troops to support its war in Ukraine, with a potential for an additional 100,000 from the communist state, according to insiders.
Experts and officials around the world have noted that the involvement of U.S. troops in Ukraine would mark the most significant escalation in the war since it began.
Europe’s readiness comes amid warnings from former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly told campaign rally audiences that the U.S. is teetering on the edge of World War III, citing the roles of Russia, North Korea, and Iran in conflicts involving American allies.
While Trump has yet to announce a clear policy for handling the Ukraine war, there is speculation among NATO members and Russia hawks about whether he might adopt a softer stance toward Moscow. However, recent indications suggest he may support Ukraine in pursuing a resolution to the war.
For example, a source told The Post that Trump recently assured an “Eastern European president” he wouldn’t oppose Ukraine’s continued use of American weapons to strike Russian targets once he takes office.
Striking directly at Russian territory forms a cornerstone of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “victory plan,” which he has been promoting to world leaders, including Trump, since the fall.
“I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote on X after Trump’s 2024 election victory. “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs.”
“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together,” he added.
Zelensky has continued to speak positively about Trump, telling Fox News on Tuesday that he believes the Republican leader’s election will hasten the war’s end because “Trump is stronger” than Putin.
However, Zelensky has also warned that without continued U.S. military aid, Ukraine would be at risk of defeat. In a Sunday interview with Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, he expressed hope that the incoming Trump administration’s approach would help end the conflict next year through diplomacy.
“[The war] will end faster with the policy of this team that will now lead the White House,” Zelensky said. “This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them.”
{Matzav.com}