Europe should be ready to increase military aid to Ukraine - German Defence Ministry

Europe will have to make more commitments regarding military supplies to Ukraine, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said in an interview with Welt am Sonntag. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said this in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.

In this way, he commented on the blocking of US aid to Ukraine by the Republicans in Congress.

Pistorius did not rule out that US aid might not come to Ukraine in the near future, but at the same time, as the minister noted, the situation on the frontline might escalate and Ukrainians will need support "now, not later".

Of course, we are talking about this. We realise that sooner or later we will probably have to compensate for this or that, which may no longer come from Washington," he said.

At the same time, he admitted that it would be extremely difficult for Europe to compensate for US participation, as many weapons are only US-made, and EU production facilities have not been oriented for a long time to the production of military equipment and shells.

For some weapons, European industry needs more time to resume production," Pistorius said.

At the same time, Pistorius stressed that Europeans will have to increase military production in any case, because it is necessary to strengthen European armies for defence against Russia.

We have about five to eight years. We have to "catch up" in the Armed Forces, in industry, and in society. Putin is now significantly increasing arms production in Russia," he said.

Pistorius also called for the Russian threat to the Baltic states, Georgia and Moldova to be taken seriously.

It's not just rattling weapons. At the end of this decade, it could be dangerous. But by then we will be ready for it," he said.