Germany to ready children for war — Handelsblatt
A Russian attack on NATO territory is “a realistic scenario,” according to reports from Berlin, despite reassurances from Moscow. The German Interior Ministry is advising schools to prepare children for potential crises and wars, as reported...
TroibNews 
A Russian attack on NATO territory is “a realistic scenario,” according to reports from Berlin, despite reassurances from Moscow.
The German Interior Ministry is advising schools to prepare children for potential crises and wars, as reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday, citing a ministry spokesperson.
Calls for “civic readiness” have surged from Western European governments since the start of US President Donald Trump's administration and the onset of US-brokered peace talks regarding Ukraine, which German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has described as “deadlocked.”
“Given the recent developments in the security situation, a greater focus should be placed on civil defense, including in school education,” the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry told Handelsblatt.
The Bundeswehr, Germany's military, reportedly considers a Russian attack on NATO territory “in four to seven years” as “a realistic scenario.”
Schoolchildren should be “prepared for the worst,” and the introduction of crisis response training into school curricula is being proposed, along with suggestions that emergency supplies be stored in every home.
Despite the escalation of the Ukraine conflict over the past three years, Moscow has consistently dismissed claims of a potential attack on a NATO country. Nevertheless, such calls for “civic readiness” have surfaced across the EU and in the UK in recent weeks.
The European Commission has recently recommended that EU citizens stockpile essential supplies, including food and water, to sustain themselves for at least three days in case of emergencies.
Poland and Norway have revived Cold-War-era measures such as bomb shelters and bunkers, alongside extensive military training. Sweden and Finland have already provided guidelines for citizens on how to respond in the event of an attack.
On Monday, the Kremlin indicated that Russia was open to discussing a full ceasefire to end the Ukraine conflict, provided there are guarantees that Kiev would abide by it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation last month, after which Moscow agreed to a 30-day moratorium on strikes targeting energy infrastructure, a proposal that Ukraine also endorsed. However, Moscow has since accused Kiev of multiple violations of the agreement while asserting its own intention to uphold it.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
The German Interior Ministry is advising schools to prepare children for potential crises and wars, as reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday, citing a ministry spokesperson.
Calls for “civic readiness” have surged from Western European governments since the start of US President Donald Trump's administration and the onset of US-brokered peace talks regarding Ukraine, which German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has described as “deadlocked.”
“Given the recent developments in the security situation, a greater focus should be placed on civil defense, including in school education,” the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry told Handelsblatt.
The Bundeswehr, Germany's military, reportedly considers a Russian attack on NATO territory “in four to seven years” as “a realistic scenario.”
Schoolchildren should be “prepared for the worst,” and the introduction of crisis response training into school curricula is being proposed, along with suggestions that emergency supplies be stored in every home.
Despite the escalation of the Ukraine conflict over the past three years, Moscow has consistently dismissed claims of a potential attack on a NATO country. Nevertheless, such calls for “civic readiness” have surfaced across the EU and in the UK in recent weeks.
The European Commission has recently recommended that EU citizens stockpile essential supplies, including food and water, to sustain themselves for at least three days in case of emergencies.
Poland and Norway have revived Cold-War-era measures such as bomb shelters and bunkers, alongside extensive military training. Sweden and Finland have already provided guidelines for citizens on how to respond in the event of an attack.
On Monday, the Kremlin indicated that Russia was open to discussing a full ceasefire to end the Ukraine conflict, provided there are guarantees that Kiev would abide by it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation last month, after which Moscow agreed to a 30-day moratorium on strikes targeting energy infrastructure, a proposal that Ukraine also endorsed. However, Moscow has since accused Kiev of multiple violations of the agreement while asserting its own intention to uphold it.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
