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German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has emphasized the need to significantly boost Germany’s defense budget in light of heightened security threats. In an interview with Funke Mediengruppe, Pistorius stated that starting in 2028, the country will require an annual defense budget of at least €80-90 billion to ensure readiness for potential aggression from Russia.
“If Putin attacks, we must be able to wage war,” Pistorius asserted, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Key Points:
- Defense Budget: Pistorius called for reforming Germany’s debt brake to enable increased defense spending without compromising other state priorities. He criticized strict adherence to the debt brake, describing it as “politically incorrect” given current security challenges.
- Special Fund Opposition: The minister rejected the idea of creating another special fund for the Bundeswehr, arguing that it would fail to cover long-term needs like maintenance, operations, and additional personnel costs.
- NATO Spending Pressure: Behind the scenes, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly advocating for NATO partners to raise their defense spending target from 2% to 5% of GDP. While NATO allies are already discussing a potential increase, many governments are wary of the fiscal challenges such a move would entail.
Pistorius expressed skepticism about peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, stating that Vladimir Putin has shown “no interest” in meaningful dialogue. He emphasized that Ukraine requires “peace in conditions of freedom” and criticized the Kremlin for attempting to dictate terms.
The minister’s comments underline Germany’s recognition of growing global security concerns and the need for robust defense measures to address them.
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