Conflicts Similar to Ukraine Crisis Among Key Challenges to German Security

"Interstate" conflicts are among challenges to German security alongside international terrorism, cyber and data challenges, fragile nationhood and poor governance,, according to a German security policy paper.

BERLIN (Sputnik) – Crises similar to the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, allegedly triggered by "Russian actions," are one of nine key challenges to German security, it was claimed in a German security policy paper Wednesday.

The White Book on Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr by German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen was adopted by the national cabinet earlier in the day.

"The renaissance of classic policy from the position of power, which includes a resort to military means to pursue national interests and is coupled with significant efforts in an arms race, increases the risk of violent interstate conflicts, including in Europe and in the neighborhood, as the example of Russian actions in Ukraine shows," the paper outlining Berlin's defense and security policies reads.

Along with "interstate" conflicts, the White Book identifies eight more challenges to German security: international terrorism, cyber and data challenges, fragile nationhood and poor governance, worldwide buildup of arms and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, threats to information, communication, supply, transport and trade lines as well as security of supplies of raw materials and energy, climate change, uncontrolled and irregular migration, pandemics and epidemics.

Kiev launched a military operation in Ukraine’s southeast in April 2014, after local residents refused to recognize the new Ukrainian authorities, which came to power as a result of what they viewed to be a coup.

In February 2015, a peace agreement was signed between the conflicting sides in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, however, sporadic shelling has continued in Ukraine despite the deal.