German Defense Minister: NATO Capable of Defending Itself Against Possible Threat from Russia
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that NATO is ready to defend its members even in the event of potential aggression from Russia, noting that the Alliance has significant deterrent capabilities.
In an interview for the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Pistorius remarked that Germany has always believed that Russia could restore its armed forces by 2029 and then be able to attack an eastern NATO member state. However, there are now assessments that this could happen earlier—by 2028 or even sooner. He stressed that despite these forecasts, NATO is capable of defending its members due to its significant conventional and nuclear capabilities but also acknowledged the need for further equipping.
Amid these statements, the head of German intelligence earlier assured that Russia is already potentially ready for conflict with NATO, and this could happen by 2029. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense system with help from Germany, particularly by enhancing the Patriot component.
Germany also continues to invest in military equipment, spending about 490 million euros on the development and procurement of DefendAir counter-drone missiles. Experts emphasize that these investments are important for enhancing security in the region and strengthening the defense capabilities of NATO member countries on the eastern flank.
