A declaration of West German neutrality would not necessarily keep fighting out of Germany in this scenario. British and French retaliation for Soviet bombing could prompt Soviet troops in eastern Germany to advance against British and French sectors. This route into a European land war depends on successive retaliatory decisions. Further countries could be drawn into the fighting, and nuclear escalation would remain a danger without being inevitable.
Notable Point · 33:24-34:23
Why German neutrality might not contain the war
West German neutrality might fail to contain a war if Soviet retaliation targeted British and French positions in Germany.