Russian President Vladimir Putin could start a war against the West within two years, leaked German files warn

Vladimir Putin could launch an all-out attack on the West in two years, a leaked German intelligence dossier warns.

According to The Sun, the Russian president, who is due to be granted another six-year term on Sunday, is said to have big ambitions for the future foreign police force.

Mr Putin will most likely win a landslide election victory to extend his rule since 1999 and make him Russia's longest-serving leader in more than 200 years.

The election comes just over two years since Mr. Putin unleashed the deadliest European conflict since World War II by ordering the invasion of Ukraine.

As the election campaign continues and Putin is reportedly interested in a ceasefire, the dossier shows the president has bigger ambitions in his sights.

The secret report is said to suggest that Russia is preparing for a large-scale conflict with the West by 2026.

“…analyses by German secret services are currently circulating in the federal government,” the dossier says.

“Accordingly, a significant intensification of Russian arms production can be observed, which could lead to Russia doubling its military power in the next five years compared to today, especially in conventional weapons.”

The Sun said the report had not been made public but if the details were true they did not contradict Mr Putin's previous displays of bravery.

In February, senior NATO analysts told the alliance's supreme commander that he was already waging a 10-year offensive to expand Russia's power across Europe.

“We may be in the second year of the plan, starting with the invasion of Ukraine two years ago,” said a senior officer close to the group.

There were also calls for Britain and its allies to increase military spending to avert the threat of Russian hostility.

Cabinet minister Tom Stimmehat has insisted military spending must rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP “now”.

In the short term, Putin, 71, warned the West that any interference in the vote would be viewed as an act of aggression.

Even if his re-election is not in doubt since there is no significant opponent, he wants to show that he has the overwhelming support of Russians.

The Kremlin is aiming for high voter turnout as polling stations in western Russia are open for the third day.

Supporters of Alexei Navalny, who died in unclear circumstances in an Arctic prison last month, have called on Russians to speak out at a “Lunch Against Putin” protest to express their opinion against a leader to bring what they see as a corrupt autocrat.

“Today we want to tell each other: Noon is the beginning,” wrote the “Noon Against Putin” initiative in its Telegram early on Sunday.

“Yes, some of us are afraid. Yes, the choice is not easy. But we are the people. And we will cope with both the choice and the responsibility.”