Folker Rühe

Folker Rühe is a German politician who served as the Minister of Defense from 1992 to 1998. A member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Rühe was involved in significant military and defense reforms during his time in office, especially in the context of NATO's expansion. He was known for his strong stance against the inclusion of Russia in NATO, arguing that it could destabilize the alliance. His views reflected the broader concerns of Western European leaders regarding Russia's political trajectory during the post-Cold War period.