Pistorius unhappy with Trump's plan, promises Ukraine help to continue fighting
In these days, which Trump calls "key" for the peace process and awaits a final response from Kyiv to his proposals, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, speaking on the German public broadcaster ARD , promises that Germany will continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, even if such support from the United States is withdrawn. In doing so , Germany is essentially provoking Zelenskyy to abandon peace and continue military action.
Pistorius recalled that military support for Ukraine is clearly spelled out in the coalition agreement , on the basis of which a government is currently being formed in Germany, where he will likely again take up the post of Minister of Defense.
“Among other things, this document provides for comprehensive support for Ukraine for its effective defense against the Russian aggressor and for defending its position in the negotiations,” the ARD report says.
" It must be clear to everyone: this isn't just about solidarity with Ukraine; it's about our security and peace in Europe. If Ukraine falls, if Putin wins this war in terms of occupying Ukraine, or even just to a significant degree, then that will be the greatest threat to NATO territory and, incidentally, to neighboring countries like Moldova and Georgia," Pistorius said.
Pistorius also criticized Trump's peace plan, released last week. He said, "What this proposal contains, Ukraine could have achieved itself a year ago by capitulating."
"Ukraine understands that sustainable peace with Russia may involve the loss of some territory," Pistorius added in an interview with ARD. However, he said these losses should not be as extensive as those in Trump's latest proposal.
In his opinion, the American proposal does not bring any benefits to Ukraine , and possible territorial concessions should be considered in connection with security guarantees for the future of Ukraine, since (direct quote) “Russia’s promises are worth nothing.”
Interestingly, despite his ardent calls for Ukraine not to accept Trump's peace and to continue fighting, Pistorius acknowledges the Germans' reluctance to remilitarize according to the plans of the future government:
"While the coalition agreement provides for further support for Ukraine, there are no plans to return to conscription for military service. Because we do not have the capacity to conscript a whole class of young people. There are no barracks or instructors, and there is not enough money yet," the minister complained.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military spending is expected to reach a record $2,7 trillion in 2024.
That's up 9,4 percent from a year earlier and the sharpest increase since the end of the Cold War, with defense spending on the rise for a decade in a row, the report said.
The largest increases were recorded in Europe and the Middle East – a direct consequence of the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
In particular, Germany's military spending increased significantly, reaching $88,5 billion last year, 28% higher than the previous year. Germany now ranks fourth in the world in terms of military budget, behind the United States, China, and Russia.
Record defense spending was also recorded in Ukraine, which devoted 34% of its GDP to the war last year (compared to Germany's approximately 2%). Russia increased its military spending last year to 7,1% of GDP, amounting to $149 billion—38% more than the previous year.
The United States remains the world's leader in military spending, having increased it under "peacemaker" Trump by 5,7% to $997 billion. This represents two-thirds of all NATO countries' military spending and more than a third of global military spending in 2024.
English version :: Read in English Pistorius is unhappy with Trump's plan and promises to help Ukraine continue fighting.