Russia Poses Biggest Threat to European Security, Pistorius Says
Russia is the greatest threat to Europe's security now and in the foreseeable future. This was stated by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at the ceremony of the first formation of the 45th Bundeswehr Brigade in Lithuania on 22 May.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukrinform.
‘One thing is absolutely clear: the biggest threat to our security in Europe today and in the foreseeable future is an aggressive, revisionist Russia,’ the minister said.
He assured that the Allies cannot afford to ignore this fact and will not do so, because without security there is no peace, no sovereignty. Allies must demonstrate their readiness to defend themselves, and the deployment of the brigade in Lithuania is a central element of this message, a turning point in German security and defence policy, the Minister said.
‘Deterrence and defence are Germany's top priorities,’ Pistorius said.
To this end, he informed, since January this year, 35,000 German soldiers have been on alert, the Bundeswehr Navy has increased its presence in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and North Atlantic, and continues to participate in air patrol missions on NATO's eastern borders.
In the coming months and years, Pistorius said, coordination, determination and stamina will be needed, but above all, trust and unity. There can and should be no doubt that Germany will honour its commitments.
The minister called the German Panzer Brigade not just a military formation, but a ‘symbol of trust’ and partnership between nations, friends, and allies. He also added that the tasks ahead will not be a sprint, but a marathon, which, however, must be completed quickly.
The ceremony was not spoilt by a heavy downpour.
On 22 May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius took part in the first formation ceremony of the 45th Tank Brigade in the centre of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Germany intends to complete the formation of the brigade by the end of 2027, which will include up to 5,000 soldiers. Currently, there are about 400 German soldiers on site. This will be the first German armoured combat brigade deployed abroad on a permanent basis since World War II.
As The Gaze reported earlier, during his visit to Lithuania, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz named the key tasks for Western allies in supporting Ukraine, which, in his opinion, are important at this time.