Berlin, 15 September 2025 (dpa/MIA) – German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Russia must face greater pressure after recent airspace violations in Poland and incidents in Romania, warning Moscow that NATO would respond firmly.

"Russia must know: we will always respond. We will not allow ourselves to be put under further military pressure," Wadephul told public broadcaster ZDF in an interview on Sunday. "We will unleash our powers, and the economic and political powers of the free world are strong," he added.

Wadephul said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "testing" the West and showed no interest in ending the war in Ukraine.

"He does not accept any offer of talk. He clearly does not want to end this war in Ukraine for now. He is going beyond it, and we must respond clearly and stand united," Wadephul said.

The minister backed tougher sanctions against Russia but stressed that NATO's defences at its eastern border had to be strengthened, particularly air defence systems capable of faster response. He pointed to systems currently based in Greece and Spain that could be redeployed to NATO's eastern flank.

The drones entered Poland late Tuesday and early Wednesday during attacks on neighbouring Ukraine, prompting a scramble by the Polish Air Force and NATO forces to shoot down the unmanned aircraft. Further incidents were reported in Poland and Romania on Saturday.

Photo: EPA