Status: 01/19/2023 11:58 a.m
Shortly after being sworn in, Federal Defense Minister Pistorius received his US counterpart Austin. Both emphasized the importance of the joint partnership. Austin called Germany “one of America’s most important allies”.
The newly sworn-in Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) received his US colleague Lloyd Austin as the first foreign visitor after taking office. Both pledged further support to Ukraine, which had been attacked by Russia.
Pistorius emphasized that the United States remains Germany’s most important ally. “Putin’s appalling war of aggression in Ukraine has given NATO the chance to prove what it is, namely a solid, stable alliance that has shown itself, and will continue to show, capable of reacting and taking action.” He is very grateful for that, said Pistorius.
“As so often in history, but especially now in these times, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America stand shoulder to shoulder.” Germany and its partners will continue to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, territorial independence and sovereignty in the future.
Discussions on further arms deliveries
Austin called Germany “one of America’s most important allies”. He thanked the German government for supporting Ukraine and for the rapid reinforcement of NATO’s eastern flank. Referring to the war in Ukraine, he said: “We must be prepared for a long support.”
Austin looks forward to working with Pistorius in the future. Both then wanted to discuss further arms deliveries to Ukraine. It is probably also about the delivery of German and American battle tanks.
According to media reports, Chancellor Scholz apparently makes the provision of “Leopard 2” tanks dependent on the delivery of main battle tanks by the USA. In the morning, the Bundestag discussed an application by the Union to quickly deliver “Leopard 2” tanks to Kyiv in the fight against Russia.
First phone call with French counterpart
Even before meeting Austin, Pistorius had called his French counterpart Sébastien Lecornu. According to the Federal Ministry of Defense, the topics were the situation in Ukraine and Franco-German cooperation on security policy. Both ministers will meet in person on Sunday at the Franco-German Council of Ministers in Paris.
Pistorius was appointed the new Federal Minister of Defense by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the morning and was then sworn in before the Bundestag.
Pistorius wants to make the Bundeswehr “strong now and quickly”
After being greeted with military honors in the Bendler Block, the new minister announced in a first statement that he wanted 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 the 62-year-old. It is now about making the Bundeswehr strong quickly. “It’s about deterrence, effectiveness and operational capability.”
It is also about continuing to support Ukraine – including with material from the Bundeswehr, emphasized the minister. “Most of the turning point is still ahead of us,” he warned and called for support for the “troupe”.