Germany’s new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday called for a reinforcement of the Armed Forces after taking office on Thursday, replacing Christine Lambrecht, who announced her resignation on Monday after being embroiled in several controversies amid the debate on whether Berlin should send more modern battle tanks to Ukraine.
«Germany is not a party to the war (in Ukraine). Nevertheless, this war affects us,» he said, before adding that the importance of security is different than it was a year ago. «That’s why it’s about making the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) strong, now and quickly. It’s about deterrence, effectiveness and operational capability,» he has argued.
Thus, he stressed that Berlin must continue to support Ukraine, also with the delivery of military equipment, while stressing that «most of the change in the security environment caused by the war in Ukraine is still ahead of us,» as reported by the German news agency DPA.
In this regard, he said that the German Armed Forces were often neglected in recent decades and stressed that the troops now need support. In turn, he has called for support for their work. «I need all people. I need everyone’s support. And I will also demand it,» he has argued.
Finally, he has stressed that the Bundeswehr has a key role to play in these changing times in terms of security. «It will be my task, and I will put all my energy into it, to ensure that the Bundeswehr can fulfill this mission, in the interest of Germany, in the interest of NATO and in the interest of the population,» he concluded.
The words of Pistorius, until now Minister of the Interior of the state of Lower Saxony, came after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented him with his certificate of appointment at his residence. Lambrecht, on the other hand, received his certificate of dismissal during the day.
Steinmeier wished Pistorius well and emphasized that he is taking up the post in the most dangerous period for Germany in a long time. «For all the challenges ahead and the necessary reforms, you now need to keep a cool head, nerves of steel, strength in leadership, clear communication and political experience,» he said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday praised Pistorius, whom he described as «an exceptional politician.» «Pistorius is an extremely experienced politician, with proven administrative experience, who has been dealing with security policy for years,» he said.
Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2021, Scholz announced a massive reinvestment program of 100 billion euros for the armed forces. It will thus fall to Pistorius to carry these plans forward, as well as to address the sensitive issue of arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Berlin is facing mounting pressure from Kiev and its allies to send battle tanks to bolster the Ukrainian army’s capabilities to cope with the invasion unleashed on February 24, 2022 on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
