Russia Moves to Exit Military Agreement with Germany, Alleges Anti-Russian Stance
Moscow, June 20 –In a significant geopolitical move, Russia has announced its intention to withdraw from the 1996 military-technical cooperation agreement signed with Germany, stating that the pact has become meaningless in the face of deteriorating bilateral relations.
The announcement, made by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday, reflects the deepening rift between Moscow and Berlin amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and conflicting narratives around global security.
1996 Agreement "Lost Its Meaning," Says Moscow
The agreement, signed on June 14, 1996, was aimed at enhancing military-technical collaboration between the two countries following the Cold War. However, with Russia’s current stance on international alliances and Germany’s increasing alignment with Western defense strategies, Moscow believes the partnership no longer serves its purpose.
“The formally valid agreement… in the current conditions has lost its meaning and practical significance,” read the official Russian Foreign Ministry statement.
“It is absolutely inconsistent with the current state of Russian-German interstate relations, which have developed due to the openly hostile policy of the FRG authorities and the increasingly aggressive militaristic aspirations of the German government.”
Russia confirmed that internal state procedures to officially exit the agreement are already underway.
Accusations Against Germany: Ideology and Militarism
The Russian Foreign Ministry sharply criticized Germany’s foreign and defense policies, accusing Berlin of:
- Ideologically manipulating its population in an "anti-Russian vein"
- Provoking military-political escalation
- Displaying “exorbitant foreign policy ambitions”
- Ignoring Russia’s security interests
“The results of Germany’s military adventures are well known,” the ministry added, in a pointed reference likely alluding to NATO’s role in global conflicts and arms support to Ukraine.
This marks one of the strongest rhetorical escalations from Moscow toward Germany in recent months.
Media Fallout: Russia to Target German Journalists
As diplomatic relations sour, media professionals have become the latest flashpoint between the two nations. Moscow has alleged that Russian journalists are facing persecution in Germany, and has now hinted at taking retaliatory measures.
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025), Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said:
“Candidates are currently being selected among German journalists who work in Moscow in order to take appropriate countermeasures against them.”
This statement follows reports of German police allegedly targeting a Russian journalist and his family in Berlin, an action Moscow interprets as part of a larger media suppression campaign by Germany.
Broader Context: Russia’s Diplomatic Strategy
The decision to exit the 1996 agreement and the escalating media tensions come amid an increasingly isolated diplomatic posture by Russia in the West. Since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, Russia has taken a series of steps to dismantle bilateral and multilateral agreements with Western powers, accusing them of:
- Meddling in internal affairs
- Waging information warfare
- Fomenting anti-Russian sentiment across Europe
Germany, in particular, has been vocal in supporting Ukraine, both diplomatically and militarily. It has also backed EU sanctions against Russia and increased its own defense spending and military posture in Eastern Europe.
Germany Yet to Issue Formal Response
As of the time of reporting, the German government has not issued an official statement regarding Russia's intention to withdraw from the 1996 cooperation deal. However, previous remarks from Berlin have reiterated support for press freedom and European collective defense, positions that Moscow views as confrontational.
Observers believe that Germany is unlikely to oppose Russia's withdrawal, as the agreement has remained largely symbolic in recent years due to mutual distrust and sanctions.
Russia’s withdrawal from the long-standing military-technical pact with Germany underscores the continuing breakdown of post-Cold War cooperation in Europe. Coupled with threats of retaliatory action against German journalists, the developments signal a new low in Russia-Germany relations, reflecting the larger geopolitical rift between Moscow and the Western bloc.
For global observers, the key takeaway is the weaponization of diplomatic and media tools in an age where soft power battles increasingly complement traditional military posturing.