Squadron handover at the Bundeswehr State Command Saxony

Outgoing commander sees déjà vu

In his speech, Popielas recalled the beginning of his career in the Bundeswehr as a paratrooper. "We became soldiers during the Cold War and now find ourselves in a similar security situation at the end of our careers," he said. It was déjà vu all over again. At the beginning of his service in the 1980s, it was clear that Europe's security could only be secured together with multinational partners. "That still applies today."

After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany, the world only appeared to have become more peaceful, said Popielas. "Now we find ourselves in a situation where the European peace order is once again under threat. Russia has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine for four years in violation of international law and is threatening to change the borders in Europe. This is also a threat to our security and stability." The core task of the Bundeswehr is now once again national and alliance defense.

General Bodemann also addressed current challenges. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine was not just any conflict, but an attack on the European peace order. It shows every day that deterrence, defense capability and social resilience are not abstract concepts. "They are tough prerequisites for ensuring that our values, our freedom and our democracy - which cannot be taken for granted - can continue to exist."