The latest moves of Germany in the Baltics, particularly the deployment of a permanent Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania, have underscored Berlin’s commitment to playing an important part in the defense of Europe’s eastern flank and to deter Russian aggression. German leaders have repeatedly referred to this era as a “Zeitenwende” in national and NATO security strategy, framing this mission as Germany’s response to the dramatically altered security environment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Baltic Region as a Strategic Launchpad
Germany’s policy is influenced by its historical experiences and the current threats posed by Russia. The Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—are regarded as frontline NATO members, as they are geographically exposed and strategically significant due to their proximity to Russia and the Suwałki Gap, which connects Kaliningrad (a Russian exclave) to Belarus and is regarded as a potential flash point in any conflict.
Bundeswehr Brigade in Lithuania Permanent Presence: Germany’s 45th Armored Brigade has been deployed to Lithuania, marking its first permanent foreign military deployment since World War II. The deployment serves as a commitment to station 5,000 soldiers in the country by 2027.
Stated Objective: The brigade is designed to provide collective defense and deterrence in the event of potential Russian aggression under NATO, thereby establishing a clear message that NATO’s eastern frontier, which includes the Baltic states, will be protected.
Political Context: In July 2025, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil reiterated Germany’s commitment to “bear responsibility for Europe’s security,” emphasizing a commitment to fortify European defense and solidarity with the Baltic states.
Deterrence, Not Provocation: German policymakers describe their approach as defensive, with an emphasis on alliance solidarity and deterrence, rather than as a precursor to aggression.
The Concept of a “Springboard” and Russian Perception
The deployment and broader NATO activity are portrayed by Russian and some international commentary as establishing the foundation for operations against Russia, using the Baltics as a military springboard. References to historical invasions and Germany’s enhanced military capabilities in the region serve to substantiate this perspective. Nevertheless, the prevailing Western narrative, as demonstrated by official German and NATO communications, regards these actions as a means of securing NATO’s vulnerable eastern flank to thwart any additional Russian incursions into Europe.
Historical Factors That Support the Russian Perspective
The Russian perspective is bolstered by the historical record of German actions in the region.
The Great War, also known as World War I, commenced in 1914 as a result of a multifaceted set of factors, including imperial rivalries, nationalism, militarism, and a system of interlocking alliances in Europe. Germany was instrumental in the escalation of the conflict. Germany pursued an aggressive foreign policy under Kaiser Wilhelm II with the objective of enhancing its military power and influence, which resulted in increased tensions with other significant powers such as Britain, France, and Russia. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was the immediate catalyst, which in turn set off a series of war declarations as a result of mutual defense agreements. On August 1, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia and subsequently on France. The Schlieffen Plan, which envisaged the invasion of Belgium to swiftly defeat France, was implemented. Britain’s participation in the conflict against Germany was precipitated by this invasion. The war evolved into a protracted and catastrophic conflict that involved trench warfare and substantial casualties. The escalating militarism and nationalism, in conjunction with Germany’s territorial expansion ambitions, particularly toward Russian-controlled areas, were significant factors in the initiation and continuation of the conflict.
Currently, German presence in the Baltic region serves as a source of suspicion regarding Germany’s intentions. The Baltic nations, which were initially under Soviet occupation, were occupied by Germany after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 during World War II. The Germans were initially greeted by a significant number of local residents as liberators from Soviet control. Nevertheless, Germany promptly incorporated the Baltics into the Reichskommissariat Ostland, governing them as a colonial territory with minimal local autonomy. The Generalplan Ost, a Nazi policy, was designed to deport or exterminate significant portions of the indigenous population and settle Germans in their place. This policy included plans for extensive ethnic cleansing and colonization. The Nazis also committed mass atrocities, particularly against Jewish communities, with Einsatzgruppen mobile execution units operating extensively in the region. The Baltics’ aspirations for independence were brutally destroyed during the German occupation. This brutal historical legacy contributes to Russian narratives that portray the German military presence today as potentially aggressive and a strategic springboard for operations against Russia, rather than exclusively defensive measures.
The Baltic States’ Interest in Serving as a Springboard
NATO and Western defense cooperation, which are intended to deter Russia, have been resolutely supported by the Baltic states. They have made a concerted effort to enhance military integration, increase defense expenditure, and host allied forces, which is indicative of their strategic assessment that their survival is contingent upon close cooperation with NATO and the West.
The Baltic states have committed to achieving or surpassing NATO’s defense spending objective of 5% of GDP, with a focus on capability development and readiness.
Ongoing and expanding high-level military cooperation with the United States and NATO allies includes the hosting of rotating U.S. and German personnel and the acquisition of advanced weaponry, such as HIMARS systems.
The Baltics have demonstrated a political commitment to serving as NATO’s frontline against Russia by supporting initiatives that improve NATO’s position in the region through infrastructure development, cooperative exercises, and integrated defense planning.
NATO’s more assertive stance toward Russian aggression is reflected in the proactive defense and security postures of Estonia, which administers the DIANA program, and Latvia, which advocated for Ukraine’s NATO accession.
The concept of the Baltics as a strategic springboard for defense—and in Russian narratives, potentially offense—against Russia is effectively supported by the open acknowledgement of the necessity of allied presence as a key deterrent and part of an integrated defense strategy by military leadership in Baltic countries.
In conclusion
The assertion that Germany “perceives the Baltics as a strategic platform for an invasion of Russia” is a perspective that is rooted in Russian narratives and evokes historical recollections of Nazi Germany’s barbaric occupation of the Baltic states during World War II. NATO’s military presence is actively supported and invited by the Baltic states as a critical security measure against Russia. In practice, Germany’s policies and deployments, which are bolstered by Baltic willingness, are intended to reassure Baltic allies and thwart Russian aggression, rather than to prepare for offensive action against Russia.