defense
Pistorius: Putin must not get away with a war of aggression
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) meets counterparts, diplomats and officers on his military-political trip to New York. photo
© Britta Pedersen/dpa
The German Defense Minister is in the USA and Canada for four days of talks. He calls for military cooperation between Western partners against Putin’s Russia.
Putin should not be allowed to get away with his brutal war of aggression. “It’s about the question of whether and how democracies defend themselves,” said Pistorius. This is Europe’s most important strategic issue and the attack is also the greatest threat to the international order.
The SPD politician wants to discuss the security policy situation in the world with the NATO partners USA and Canada by Friday and explain to them Germany’s increased commitment to the alliance. Pistorius will meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington tomorrow and Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair in Ottawa on Friday.
Pistorius: “The time for the peace dividend is over”
Recently, doubts were raised in Berlin as to whether Germany is sufficiently prepared for a possible re-election of Donald Trump in the US presidential election in November and the possible consequences. The Republican made it clear during a campaign appearance that he would not provide American support to allies with low defense spending in the event of a Russian attack. The Berlin Defense Ministry assumes that Germany’s course correction has not been sufficiently understood.
“NATO is central to our security and we do not take it for granted,” Pistorius said. “We have understood that times have changed once again. The war has returned to Europe and the time for the peace dividend is over. That is why we are doing our part. Germany will spend more money on defense this year than ever before in history the Bundeswehr.” He pointed out that NATO’s two percent target will be achieved “and we cannot stop at this point.”
A regional conflagration must be prevented
Addressing representatives of the American Jewish Committee, Pistorius condemned Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, which triggered the Gaza war and a major escalation in the region. Hamas has brought unspeakable suffering to many innocent people, the minister said. At the same time, a regional conflagration must be prevented. Pistorius did not specifically mention the current situation in the Gaza Strip in his speech. A subsequent discussion took place behind closed doors.
Pistorius wanted to have a conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York today. He then wanted to visit the arms company Boeing in Philadelphia, which has received two major orders from the Bundeswehr for 60 CH47-F “Chinook” heavy transport helicopters and several P-8A “Poseidon” maritime patrol aircraft. To modernize the Bundeswehr, Germany is also buying billions of dollars from other US manufacturers. The Air Force purchased 35 F-35 stealth jets from Lockheed Martin and ordered Patriot anti-aircraft systems.
Federal ministry of defense