There may be a threat of war in Europe, German residents should get used to this idea, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on ZDF.
The minister believes that the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s war against Ukraine will have consequences in German society as well. Germany must be able to defend itself − and this applies both to the Bundeswehr and to society. “We must become fit for war,” Pistorius emphasized.
At the same time, Germany is doing everything to prevent further escalation in the Middle East conflict, the minister added. Pistorius also rejected accusations that Berlin is slow to react to events that are now turning points.
The country’s authorities not only created a special fund for the German Armed Forces worth EUR 100 billion but also changed the structure of the Bundeswehr. The military has been neglected for a long time, Pistorius added.
“Everything that was ruined in 30 years, unfortunately, cannot be fixed in 19 months,” said the minister and assured that Germany will be in a completely different situation by the end of this decade.
Cover: Julian Stratenschulte/DPA, via Associated Press