Germany is preparing to take on a larger role in European defense as it navigates what Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described as a “new unpredictability” in its relationship with the U.S.
Speaking in Berlin following the formation of a new government, Pistorius said Berlin must take on greater responsibility for European security, particularly in light of growing geopolitical challenges, Reuters reported.
His remarks came after the conservative bloc, led by Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, reached a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats on April 9.
“There is a new unpredictability in our transatlantic relations. The United States keep up their commitment to NATO but they quite rightly demand a stronger European contribution in the alliance,” he said.
He underscored that Germany will meet this challenge in cooperation with its European partners and NATO allies.
“We will have to provide significantly more leadership as we go along,” he said.
Earlier, Merz announced that the incoming government had agreed to a major increase in defense spending.
Pistorius called the agreement a “historic day for Germany.”
Read a column by Oleksii Kopytko, a Ukrainian military analyst and former adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, on the historic transformation now facing Europe’s security and defence system.
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