THE ALARMING OBSERVATION OF

GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER

EUROPE MUST BE READY FOR WAR…

Europe “could face dangers” from Russia by the end of the decade. EU countries must develop their defense industries in order to be ready, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview with Welt am Sonntag on Saturday (December 16).

“[Vladimir Putin's] threats to the Baltic States, Georgia and Moldova must be taken very seriously. These are not mere threats in the wind. We could face dangers by the end of the decade,” Mr Pistorius said.

It is high time for European countries to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape, especially as the United States may reduce its presence on the continent, he added.

“It will take time for the defense industry to increase its capabilities. We now have five to eight years to catch up, both in terms of the armed forces, industry and society,” insisted the Minister of Defense.

100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the German government stepped up efforts to rebuild its ailing armed forces, also relying on a special 100 billion euro fund set up by the government at the continuation of the attack

Mr Pistorius was appointed defense minister earlier this year, replacing Christine Lambrecht.

Last month, Mr. Pistorius presented new defense guidelines, setting a goal for the Bundeswehr, Germany's army, to be "ready for war" and for Germany to assume a role of military leader as Europe's "largest and most populous economy."

His rhetoric caused some controversy in Germany, given the country's pacifist culture, shaped by the experience of World War II.

In the interview, Mr Pistorius reiterated the guidelines' call for increased collaboration on European defense.

The Weimar Triangle, an informal forum between Germany, Poland and France.

The 2023 guidelines describe the EU's defense role as primarily "complementary" to NATO's defensive capabilities "through economic, humanitarian and financial measures." Instead, Pistorius said it was possible to strengthen coordination through the Weimar Triangle, an informal forum between Germany, Poland and France.

“We are very interested in [adding a military component to the Weimar Triangle],” Pistorius said, adding that he had invited new Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to Berlin and was considering travel to Poland as soon as possible in the new year. The government's promise to revive the forum and encourage closer ties with Poland went largely unheeded under the government of Mr Tusk's predecessor, Mateusz Morawiecki.

EU strategic autonomy: between geopolitics and protectionism

Growing calls for Europe to strengthen its autonomy and reduce its dependence on other countries in strategic areas have divided the EU, as competition intensifies on the international scene.a defense, a sensitive point

The concept of Europe's strategic autonomy in defense became evident after Russian aggression in Ukraine, with analysts suggesting that Europe must find its place in the geopolitical complexity of today's world.

Isolationist sentiments in the United States

Ionela Maria Ciolan, a foreign policy and defense expert at the Wilfried Martens Center for European Studies, said Europe's post-Cold War security architecture has collapsed as Russia "seeks to redraw borders." Europeans by force.

“Meanwhile, isolationist sentiments in the United States, fueled by perceptions of insufficient European defense contributions, could further strain transatlantic relations if Donald Trump were to be [re-elected],” she said. note.

If such a scenario comes true, Ms. Ciolan expects that American support for Ukraine will decline and that Europeans will become increasingly responsible for the security of the European continent and the fight against the Russian threat.

The risk reduction strategy towards China

“Europeans should fill the gaps in military capabilities within NATO and the EU. The concept of EU strategic autonomy is not a challenge to the United States or NATO, but an effort to jointly strengthen European defense capabilities. »

“Concretely, the EU's strategic autonomy in matters of security and defense also means the strengthening of the European pillar of NATO,” she continued, insisting on the fact that Europe should rely on national suppliers or countries that share the same values ​​as it.

We have already reduced our dependence on Russia, but we must intensify our risk reduction strategy vis-à-vis China […]

The EU's policy towards China should be based on the principles of cooperation where possible, competition where necessary and confrontation where necessary,” she said. concluded.