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Boris Pistorius
Photo: Hannes P Albert / dpa
The new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) wants to go to Ukraine as soon as possible.
»What is certain is that I will travel quickly to the Ukraine.
Probably even within the next four weeks,” he told the “Bild am Sonntag”.
Pistorius took office on Thursday after Christine Lambrecht resigned as head of department.
When asked when the decision on Leopard tanks for Ukraine would be made, he said: "We are in very close dialogue on this issue with our international partners, above all with the USA." In order to be well prepared for possible decisions be, he instructed his house on Friday "to check everything so far that we don't lose time unnecessarily if the worst comes to the worst".
At the Ukraine conference in Ramstein on Friday, Germany had not yet decided to deliver battle tanks to the war zone, despite considerable pressure from its allies.
The federal government has not yet issued any delivery permits to other countries for the tanks produced in Germany.
When asked what his goal was for the troops, Pistorius said: “Germany is the largest economy in Europe, so it should also be our goal to have the strongest and best-equipped army in the EU.” However, that is not in three years to do it, it would take a few more years.
»It is my job now to set the course for the turning point to succeed.«
In February, after the Russian attack on Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) spoke of a "turning point" and announced a special fund of 100 billion euros to modernize the Bundeswehr.
Pistorius named three central tasks that now have to be implemented quickly and simultaneously: the procurement of weapons and equipment, the modernization of the barracks and the recruitment of personnel.
»And: The troops have to feel that you trust them and are grateful for what they do.«
dop/dpa