Germany must step up military role, says Pistorius

Germany is facing mounting uncertainty in its relationship with the US and must step up its military leadership role amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Addressing reporters in Berlin on Wednesday, soon after a coalition agreement was confirmed between his center-left Social Democrats and Friedrich Merz's conservatives, Pistorius emphasized that Germany's new government must increase its contribution to European security, reported Reuters.

"There is a new unpredictability in our transatlantic relations," said Pistorius, who is widely tipped to remain defense minister in Merz's incoming government. "The United States keep up their commitment to NATO but they quite rightly demand a stronger European contribution in the alliance. We will do this together with our European partners and NATO allies, and we will have to provide significantly more leadership as we go along."

Pistorius has previously advocated for strengthening Germany's military readiness. In a speech at the Johns Hopkins University in Washington, US in May, he emphasized Germany's willingness to take on a leading role in global military engagement, stating that the country must be prepared to defend its values and order worldwide, particularly in crisis regions.

Additionally, Pistorius has called for a significant increase in military spending and the reintroduction of conscription to counter potential threats. He has emphasized the need for an honest debate about incurring debt to fund defense, viewing it as an investment in future security.

In an interview with The Times newspaper in February, he said Germany should "bite the bullet" and take a "giant leap forward" to boost its struggling economy through large-scale borrowing for military investment.

He indicated that implementing some version of compulsory military service was crucial after his defense ministry calculated that NATO would need Germany to maintain almost half a million troops in the event of an attack.

Germany's coalition agreement includes plans to establish a national security council and reintroduce optional military service, reflecting Germany's commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities.

Analyzing the defense priorities outlined in the new German coalition deal in an opinion piece for The Guardian newspaper, author John Kampfner wrote: "All parties were agreed on their approach to Ukraine and Russia. The introduction of a national security council within the chancellery to deal with the many emergencies the country faces is a welcome, if belated, move.

"Some form of national military service will be reintroduced, but it is expected to be opt-in, with benefits for participants, rather than compulsory."

jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com