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Frank Walter Steinmeier
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka / dpa
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has promised the eastern NATO partner Slovakia the full solidarity of Germany and the entire defense alliance.
"We stand by our alliance solidarity without ifs and buts," Steinmeier said during a visit to a Bundeswehr air defense unit that Germany had sent in a hurry to NATO's eastern flank to the Slovakian air force base Silac in the center of the country after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Steinmeier emphasized that the rapid deployment of two "Patriot" squadrons just a few weeks after the start of the war in Ukraine impressively showed that the Berlin commitments were not lip service.
"After Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine, we need unity and determination, probably for a longer period of time," said Steinmeier.
He will work intensively to ensure that Germany continues to support the alliance to the best of its ability.
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Ultimately, the mission in Silac is also a piece of the puzzle for German arms aid to Ukraine.
The federal government of Slovakia and the Netherlands had offered to quickly replace the S300 air defense system stationed here with "Patriot" squadrons so that Slovakia could hand over its own Russian-made system to the Ukraine.
Within a few days, two German "Patriot" squadrons made their way to Slovakia.
The commander vividly described Steinmeier's operation in Slovakia.
With three "Patriot" squadrons, the German and Dutch soldiers are able to repel any air attack on the base of the Slovak army.
The "Patriot" squadrons are equipped with a highly sensitive radar system.
If they detect an attack by fighter jets, missiles or even unmanned drones, the soldiers can immediately launch defensive missiles.
“We can go into defense at any time”
The mission in Slovenia is part of the strengthening of NATO's presence on the eastern flank.
"Our main task is deterrence," reported Colonel Jörg Sievers.
Every attacker must be aware that an intrusion into the airspace would be noticed and intercepted immediately.
"We can go into defense at any time," said Siewers, "but we hope it doesn't come to a sharp attack."
He is to stay for six months, but the mission will probably last longer.
Steinmeier had previously met his Slovakian counterpart Zuzana Čaputová in Košice near the Ukrainian border.
He also emphasized that Russia should not underestimate NATO's ability to defend itself.
In the event of an attack by Russia, the alliance will defend every inch of the partner country.
Slovakia can also rely on Germany to continue to provide humanitarian and military aid.
Since the attack on Ukraine, Slovakia has taken in 70,000 refugees.
The trip to Slovakia is part of a small tour by Steinmeier along NATO's eastern flank.
The ex-foreign minister recently visited the Baltic states and is traveling to Romania next week.
On the one hand, Steinmeier wants to show the partner countries that they can rely on Germany.
At the same time, the head of state is also trying to soften the sometimes harsh criticism of Germany.
In Poland and the Baltic States, Berlin is sometimes harshly criticized because it was too lax in dealing with Russia for a long time and then acted very hesitantly when it came to supplying arms to Ukraine.
Steinmeier has been largely responsible for the foreign policy course in recent years, having served as foreign minister for many years.
This is probably one of the reasons why he has repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks that a return to normality is not possible as long as Vladimir Putin is Russian President.
Steinmeier was also unable to shake off the debate about arms deliveries in Slovakia.
Not only the German journalists who had traveled with them wanted to know why Germany had hesitated so long to deliver heavy weapons.
The President struggled to defend the government.
"I think Germany doesn't have to hide its achievements, neither financially nor humanitarian and above all not militarily," said Steinmeier.
In any case, he finds it understandable that each individual delivery is carefully considered and only then approved.
At the same time, Steinmeier assured that neither the sometimes severe criticism from Kyiv nor the fact that he himself had recently been disinvited shortly before a visit would deter Germany from its course.
"We will not leave Ukraine alone in these difficult times," he said several times during the visit.
The words went down well with President Čaputová.
In any case, she assured Steinmeier that, unlike in Kyiv, he was "always warmly welcome" in Slovakia.