After a possible armistice In the opinion of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), Germany could also cope with a task in Russia's war against Ukraine. “I want to make one thing clear: As long as the war is not over, there will be no German soldiers on Ukrainian soil,” Pistorius said in an interview with the Funke media group. “The question arises when there should be a ceasefire or a peace – and when it is clear what that looks like.”
Pistorius spoke about possible scenarios after a ceasefire. “For example, is there a demarcation line, a buffer zone or a peace-keeping zone in which armed forces ensure peace? You see, there is still too much open to make a statement here.” In the end, Parliament will decide anyway, Pistorius added. “But one thing is clear: Germany, as the largest NATO country in Europe and the largest economy in Europe, could not stand by and remain uninvolved.”
The European NATO states are currently discussing the question of how Ukraine could be put in a position to conduct possible peace negotiations with Russia from a position of strength. In this context, new arms deliveries are being discussed, but also the deployment of peacekeepers to secure a possible ceasefire.
Defense budget increase demanded
In the same interview with the Funke media, Pistorius called for a significant increase in the defense budget. “We need a defense budget of at least 80 billion, more likely 90 billion euros annually from 2028 in order to meet the requirements we have due to the tightened security situation,” he said. “If Putin attacks, we have to be able to wage war.”
Pistorius spoke out in favor of reforming the debt brake in order to finance the billions in spending. “I think it is politically wrong to stick rigidly to the debt brake in this situation. If we finance the necessary expenditure for our defense from the normal budget, it strangles the state's ability to act, endangers social security and thus strengthens the extremist parties.
However, a new special fund for the troops was rejected. “I am not a fan of a new special fund,” said Pistorius. A certain sum would then flow into the procurement of new material. “However, we would not take into account permanent operation, repairs or additional staff because these are not paid for from the special fund.”
