“Russia is waging a cruel war of annihilation against a sovereign state”
Pistorius officially appointed Minister of Defense and sworn in in the Bundestag
Boris Pistorius has been sworn in before the Bundestag. At the request of Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, he took the oath of office. Pistorius had previously been appointed as the new Minister of Defense by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Boris Pistorius has been appointed defense minister. “It’s now about making the Bundeswehr fast and strong,” he emphasized during his welcome to the Bendlerblock. But he also wants to continue to support Ukraine – also with material from the Bundeswehr.
Dhe new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) wants to quickly prepare the Bundeswehr for the new threat situation after the Russian attack on Ukraine. “Germany is not a party to the war. Nevertheless, we are affected by this war, ”said Pistorius on Thursday in Berlin. The importance of security is different than a year ago. “That’s why it’s now about making the Bundeswehr strong now and quickly. It’s about deterrence, effectiveness and operational capability,” said Pistorius after being welcomed with military honors in the Bendler Block in Berlin.
“Russia is waging a cruel war of annihilation against a sovereign state, against Ukraine,” said Pistorius. Therefore, for Germany, too, the importance of security is “different than it was a year ago”. For him, this is “a task with an exceptionally high level of responsibility”.
It is also a matter of continuing to support Ukraine – also with material from the Bundeswehr, emphasized the minister, who received his certificate of appointment from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier that morning. “Most of the turning point is still ahead of us,” warned Pistorius. The armed forces have often been neglected in recent decades. The troops now need our support, he in turn needs the support of everyone in the Bundeswehr, in the Ministry of Defense and in the associated authorities for his work.
“I need everyone. I need everyone’s support. And I will also demand them,” said Pistorius. The Bundeswehr will play a key role at the turn of the century. “It will be my task, and I will do everything I can to ensure that the Bundeswehr can fulfill this mission – in the interests of Germany, in the interests of NATO and in the interests of the people.”
Steinmeier presented certificate of appointment
In the morning, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Pistorius presented the certificate of appointment in Berlin. The resigned Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) received her dismissal certificate. The former interior minister of the state of Lower Saxony then took the oath of office in the Bundestag – without the formula “so help me God”. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also took part in the brief appointment ceremony at Bellevue Palace.
Boris Pistorius is received by the Guard Battalion at the Defense Ministry
Source: AP/Michael Sohn
Steinmeier wished Pistorius “perseverance, good luck and a happy hand”. Pistorius is taking over the ministerial office in a situation of threat and danger that Germany has not known for a long time. He has to start right away. “For all the coming challenges and necessary reforms, you now need a cool head, strong nerves, leadership, clear language and political experience.” That Pistorius has all this, he has shown in other demanding political offices, said Steinmeier.
Steinmeier emphasized that there was no time to lose. “As a strong country in the heart of Europe, we have a responsibility not only for ourselves but also for others.” Germany is not alone, but in alliance with partners. “And these partners must and will be able to rely on us.”
Steinmeier thanked Lambrecht, who had resigned, for everything she had done in 23 years as a member of parliament and for everything she had done as federal minister in various positions. He also thanked her “for the willingness to stand up for our country and our democracy for so many years, to defend it where it is attacked, not only to lament its problems but also to want to solve them”.
Pistorius received US Secretary of Defense Austin
After being sworn in in the Bendlerblock, Pistorius was the first foreign visitor to receive US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Both promised Ukraine further help – without being specific. As so often in history, Germany and the USA stand shoulder to shoulder, said Pistorius when welcoming Austin. He called Germany “one of the most important allies of the USA”. He thanked the German government for supporting Ukraine and for quickly strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.
In the past few days, pressure has increased on Germany to also make Leopard-type main battle tanks available to Ukraine. According to media reports, Chancellor Scholz is now ready to do so under certain conditions. According to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” and “Bild” newspapers, he made it clear in a telephone call to US President Joe Biden that Germany could only deliver if the US in turn provided Ukraine with its own Abrams battle tanks.
Pistorius is on the phone with his French counterpart
After being sworn in, Pistorius also had a phone call with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu. The Ministry of Defense in Berlin announced that the topics were the situation in Ukraine and Franco-German cooperation on security policy. “France is our closest ally and oldest friend in the European Union. Paris and Berlin have also been working closely together on security policy for decades. That’s why it was particularly important to me to talk to my French colleague Lecornu as quickly as possible,” explains Pistorius. Both ministers want to continue their exchange on Sunday at the Franco-German Council of Ministers in Paris.
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