At a time when the pressure to give Leopard tanks to Ukraine is increasing, the German government has appointed a new Defense Minister, informs Reuters.
On the 13th of January, Christine Lambrecht resigned, and it happened just one week before the planned meeting at the Ramstein Air Force Base on the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Boris Pistorius, Minister of the Interior of the Federal Land of Lower Saxony, will take her place.
So far, Germany has been cautious and has not confirmed the delivery of Leopard tanks. Other countries that have these tanks also need Berlin’s approval before sending them. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that this is an important decision that needs to be made quickly, and it is necessary to understand how Germany will continue to support Ukraine.
It is expected that the new Defense Minister will meet his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Berlin on Thursday, the 19 of January. Since 2013, Pistorius has been the Minister of the Interior of the Federal Land of Lower Saxony and in this position cooperated with the armed forces. He is known for his strict stance on the issue of security.
In a brief statement ahead of his official confirmation scheduled for the 19 of January, Pistorius said he was aware of the importance of the task he was given:
«I want to make the armed forces strong for the time ahead.»
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described Pistorius as a friend and a capable politician and said the new Defense Minister has all the necessary qualities to carry out this important task.
Pistorius has been in a relationship with the ex-wife of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, and Schroeder has come under fire both inside and outside Germany for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pistorius was also a member of the Russo-German twinning group before it ended operating in April. However, he has strongly condemned Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukraine.
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