Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Germans have forgotten the lessons of history, referring to efforts to make Germany Europe’s largest military power.
In a social media post, Zakharova commented on a regulation in Germany requiring men aged 17 to 45 to obtain permission from the army for extended travel abroad.
“Germany, where military madness has reached its peak, has completely forgotten the lessons of history. The last time the German political elite attempted to turn the country into ‘Europe’s largest military power,’ it resulted in a tragedy for all humanity,” she wrote.
Under the “Military Service Modernization Law,” which came into force on January 1, 2026, men aged 17 to 45 in Germany will be required to obtain permission from the German military for long-term travel abroad. According to the Ministry of Defense, the regulation applies to trips lasting longer than three months.