Germany says Putin’s latest warnings show his military offensive is not successful

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Wednesday cautiously responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a partial military mobilization.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said recent developments in fact demonstrate that Russia is facing defeat in Ukraine.

“Putin’s latest remarks show that his military offensive has not been successful, and he could not achieve the expected results, this is how one can interpret this” he said.

Buchner underlined that Ukraine’s latest counteroffensive to take back occupied territories has been “very effective” thanks to the support by its Western allies, including Germany.

Asked whether Germany was worried over Putin’s warning that he is not bluffing about using nuclear weapons to defend Russia, Buchner said Berlin “has taken note of comments” made by Putin, but did not elaborate further.

Earlier, Putin announced a partial mobilization of reservists in Russia, calling up 300,000 reservists to join the army.

He also vowed to use “all means at its disposal” if Russia’s territorial integrity is in danger, which was widely interpreted as a nuclear warning to the West.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's separatist Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and Russian-controlled parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson announced holding referendums on joining Russia on Sept. 23-27.