Recent airspace incursions by Russian military forces over Estonia and the Baltic Sea have prompted calls for a stronger response from the German government and the European Union. Green Party politician and foreign policy spokesperson Anton Hofreiter argues that a more assertive stance is necessary to de-escalate the situation.
Speaking to Bild, Hofreiter expressed concern that the current trajectory poses an escalating risk. He suggested that President Putin may perceive a lack of resolve from both the United States and European nations, potentially leading to further provocations.
Hofreiter outlined a series of measures the German government and EU could consider. These include exploring the possibility of seizing approximately €210 billion in frozen Russian assets as a demonstrative action, restricting visa privileges for Russian citizens beyond those already engaged in political opposition and limiting the movement range of diplomats representing Russia. He specifically highlighted the number of individuals accredited as diplomats in Austria, suggesting they may be operating as intelligence agents across Europe and questioned why concrete steps to address this aren’t being taken. He argued that pursuing such actions would send a clear message and potentially deter future escalations.
