Germany is “not ready to defend itself” from the Russian threat

Mr Pistorius suggested Germany's post-war history of pacifism had complicated the defense debate. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Germany is not prepared to defend against the security challenges Europe will face in the future, the country's defense minister has warned.

Boris Pistorius, who said after taking office a year ago that it is necessary to prepare to counter the threats posed by Russia and other players.

“Are we seriously prepared to defend this country in an emergency? And who is this “we”? This debate must be held,” he told trainee soldiers at a military academy in Hamburg on Wednesday.

Mr Pistorius warned that peace in Europe “is no longer an irrefutable certainty”, adding that the role of the Bundeswehr has changed amid the changing security challenges facing Germany and its other NATO allies.

“Germany has become stronger and a more active player in security policy, including in the military sphere,” he said.

Mr Pistorius's remarks echo similar warnings from other European and NATO figures about the need to prepare for war, and come after his ministry announced plans earlier this week to allow foreigners to join the German army. .

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Bundeswehr stepped up recruitment to reach its new target of 20,000 additional troops, launching a series of advertising campaigns targeting Generation Z, as well as plans for flexible working.

Mr Pistorius, whose popularity has risen in recent months as support for the crisis-hit Olaf Scholz, the country's chancellor, has waned, acknowledged that many Germans with a post-war tradition of pacifism «don't like these conversations and thoughts.»

But he warned that “only if we are willing to have these discussions and set the necessary course will we as a society become more resilient and able to protect ourselves.”

Mr Pistorius also called for a public debate on the issue. reintroduce compulsory military service, which was abolished in Germany in 2011, saying any move in that direction would require the support of a majority of voters.

He said his ministry was studying “what models have proven themselves in other countries are relevant for us in Germany and can be suitable with or without modifications.”

“Boris Pistorius understands Germany's national interests and Berlin's responsibility to its allies,” said Benjamin Tallis, a senior fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

“He has demonstrated the type of leadership that Germans crave, but it is limited the need to work under the leadership of Olaf Scholz, who maintains tight control,” added Mr. Tallis.

Last week there were reports that Mr Scholz could be removed from his position. by his own centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) party and replaced by Mr Pistorius as the German chancellor continues to languish in the polls, beset by farm protests, a budget crisis and the worst economic performance of any major European country. Scholz's fragile coalition is also deeply divided on security issues, with the chancellor famously hesitant to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine over fears it could trigger an international escalation.

Mr Scholz's fragile coalition is also deeply divided over security issues. The chancellor is famously hesitant to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine over fears it could trigger an international escalation.

Mr Scholz's fragile coalition is also deeply divided on security issues. The Chancellor is known to be hesitant to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine due to fears that it could provoke an international escalation of the conflict.

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