2023-07-11 20:21:21
Defense Minister Pistorius has in the daily topics defended NATO’s conditions for Ukrainian membership. Peace and clarified border issues are also part of this – otherwise there is a risk of the alliance falling.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has defended the conditions formulated by NATO for Ukraine’s membership and rejected criticism from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Everyone says Ukraine’s future lies in NATO once the war is over,” Pistorius said in an interview with the daily topics. Ukraine has a commitment to NATO membership – and Zelenskyy is also aware of that.
Pistorius defends terms
The conditions set up are completely normal, explained Pistorius. These include “system interoperability”, meaning that the Ukrainian weapon systems can be used together with those of the other NATO countries, questions of governance and democratic control of the armed forces.
“All of these are normal standards for all NATO member states,” said Pistorius. All of this is “not rocket science”, but can also happen very quickly. “I understand the resentment and the impatience. Especially in the situation in which Ukraine is, I have full sympathy for it.”
Worry regarding the alliance fall
Regarding the strategic dilemma that Russia might try to keep attacking Ukraine with drones in order to prevent it from joining NATO, Pistorius said: “First of all, I don’t see Ukraine not joining NATO “Secondly, conditions have to be met. Any membership before the border issues are settled and there is peace would mean that the alliance case might be triggered almost immediately by some action.”
Achievement of the two percent target from 2028 still open
Pistorius also commented on the question of future financing of the Bundeswehr. In the coming year, Germany will reach NATO’s two percent target – but only because of the 100 billion special fund. That will last until 2027 or maybe 2028, said Pistorius. “After that there is a gap: it has to be closed if you want to meet the two percent target and everyone has committed to that.” The “how” must be thought regarding in the coming years.
Pistorius let it be known that, from his point of view, the debt brake should not be untouchable. “Anyone who wants to be able to defend themselves, who wants to achieve the two percent, who wants to fulfill the alliance obligation, who wants the eastern flank to enjoy the same protection as we did during the Cold War up to ’89 – in the end must also commit how he intends to do that,” he said. Whether this should be done in compliance with the debt brake or otherwise is a question of political priorities.
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