German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius delivers a stern warning to parliament, calling for Germany to be ready for war by 2029 amid growing Russian threats and concerns over potential aggression beyond Ukraine’s borders. [Image | Getty Images]
In Summary:
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has cautioned that Germany must be prepared for war by 2029, citing increasing Russian threats and the possibility of Putin’s aggression extending beyond Ukraine’s borders.
- Pistorius stressed the importance of having a defensive force capable of defending the country, as the world has changed significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
- His remarks come amid heightened fears among European nations, particularly in Eastern Europe, about potential Russian aggression spilling over beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Addressing the German parliament on Wednesday, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius issued a stark warning, emphasizing the need for Germany to be ready for war by 2029 amid growing Russian threats.
“We must not believe that Putin will stop at Ukraine’s borders when he gets that far,” Pistorius cautioned, reflecting the mounting concerns among European countries, especially those in Eastern Europe, about the potential for Russian aggression to extend beyond Ukraine.
Pistorius’s comments come as fears escalate over the possibility of the conflict spilling over Ukraine’s borders, fueled by Russia’s ongoing military campaign.
The German army’s chief inspector, General Carsten Breuer, recently stated that it could take Russia five to eight years to reconstitute its armed forces from the grinding war in Ukraine, effectively setting a 2029 deadline for NATO efforts to prepare for potential combat.
During his remarks, the defense minister underscored the urgency of having a capable defensive force to protect the nation.
“In an emergency, we need defensive young women and men who can defend this country,” Pistorius declared, highlighting the need for a well-prepared military to safeguard Germany’s security.
Pistorius’s warnings underscore the profound shift in the global security landscape since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
In a recent visit to the Lithuanian city of Pabradė, where German soldiers conduct joint military exercises with Lithuanian, Dutch, and French troops, the defense minister acknowledged the transformative nature of the conflict.
“The world is different than it was before February 24, 2022,” he said, emphasizing that national and alliance defense has become the primary focus for the German army (Bundeswehr).
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (center left) bids farewell to Bundeswehr soldiers as they depart for their mission with the German brigade stationed in Lithuania, underlining Germany’s commitment to bolstering NATO’s eastern flank amid escalating tensions with Russia. [IMAGE: Getty Images]
As tensions continue to escalate and the specter of further Russian aggression looms, Pistorius’s call for war readiness by 2029 serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and preparedness in the face of evolving threats to regional and global security.