Title: Pistorius Slams SPD's Russia Ties Suggestion: Bizarre at This Moment, Says Defense Minister
Russia and U.S. closely collaborating at present.
In an exclusive interview with Maybrit Illner on ZDF, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has clear words for the publication of a manifesto by several left-wing SPD members. He finds the idea of closer cooperation with Russia at this stage very strange.
Pistorius is currently in Ukraine, offering a €7 billion financial aid package, with an additional €1.9 billion to be approved by the Bundestag. This funding is intended to help Ukraine manufacture long-range missiles, addressing their industry's current lack of funds to fully utilize its capacity for arms production.
Speaking with Illner before the show, Pistorius explained, "Europeans are now providing relief, together. We're helping Ukraine with money to acquire and pay for its own arms industry. Our aim is to help Ukraine produce long-range missiles quickly, and this system will be available by the end of the year, significantly boosting Ukraine's quality and quantity of arms production." Regarding the decision on Taurus cruise missiles, there has been no change.
Meanwhile, around 100 left-wing SPD members have published a manifesto advocating for a long-term increase in the defense budget, future-oriented defense policy, and gradual cooperation with Russia. The Bundeswehr University in Munich security expert Carlo Masala believes a NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June will focus on European defense capability and funding.
Pistorius remains unconvinced by the manifesto: "It's regrettable that such words are used. The point is, Putin is the aggressor in this war. He refuses any peace negotiations and sabotages them by significantly increasing his attacks on Ukraine's civilian population. Closer cooperation with Russia at this stage is very strange, given that a war is raging in Ukraine."
Lars Klingbeil, SPD party chairman and Vice-Chancellor, has sought to distance the SPD from the manifesto, insisting that Europe should not try to move towards Russia and engage in diplomatic solutions that Putin constantly rejects. Despite the controversy, Pistorius expresses confidence in the majority of his party, which approved the coalition agreement, including this topic, with over 80% support.
The ongoing debate within the SPD reflects ongoing tensions between those advocating for diplomatic engagement with Russia and those insisting on a firm stance in support of Ukraine and Western security interests. As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, the position of Germany will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
- The European Union, in alignment with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, remains firmly against closer cooperation with Russia amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, given Putin's refusal to negotiate peace and his escalation of attacks on Ukraine's civilian population.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine have sparked a political debate within the SPD (Social Democratic Party), with some members advocating for diplomatic engagement with Russia and others insisting on a firm stance in support of Ukraine and Western security interests, a topic that is included in the coalition agreement and has received over 80% approval.
