German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes that Western countries should prepare for the "worst-case scenario" in which Russia could attack them, Bloomberg reports.

"I cannot predict whether and when an attack on NATO territory might occur. But it could happen in five to eight years," Pistorius said, urging Europe and NATO members to prepare for the "worst-case scenario."

The head of the German Defense Ministry noted that the Kremlin's aggression, if not stopped, could negatively affect security cooperation and harm US defense contractors. In addition, it would weaken Europe as a whole and disrupt the bloc's trade relations with the world's largest economy, Pistorius added.


According to him, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the "rules-based international order."

"Less security in Europe means less security for the United States. We should not take freedom for granted. We must defend it. We must fight for it if necessary," Pistorius said.