The German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius condemned the Russian drone raids on Poland and Estonia as “dangerous” and “reckless” violations of international law on Monday, warning that Moscow represents NATO's greatest threat and opened a permanent logistics center for German troops in Lithuania.
“The Russian Federation is the largest and most direct threat to NATO and will stay for us for the near future,” said Pistorius.
Referring to the German 45th Panzer Brigade, which was placed in Lithuania on April 1, he said: “That's why we are here. Germany takes his responsibility seriously.”
“We keep our word. We are with our allies and are ready to protect the Baltic states.”
The brigade, a “battle-ready” Bundeswehr unit with around 5,000 soldiers, must be stationed in Lithuania until 2027.
The German Defense Chief visited the Lithuanian city of Rukla, where he opened the Logistics Center of Permanent Logistics Support Area (PLSA) together with his Lithuanian counterpart, Dovilė Šakalien.
'Putin deliberately tries to undermine the safety of Europe'
Before he traveled to Lithuania, Pistorius spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum, where he said that Russia was an “increasingly bigger threat” for NATO, talking about air -spot violations with drones that have been registered in Poland in recent weeks.
“This is unacceptable,” said Pistorius, who called this incident a “violation of international law” and an “irresponsible provocation in times of already increased tensions” that can lead to “very dangerous misunderstandings”.
In addition to drones, Moscow has also violated NATO air space over the Baltic Sea with fighter jets.
“Putin deliberately tries to undermine the safety of Europe and the territorial integrity of European countries,” said Pistorius, who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of provocation and to expose weaknesses within the Alliance.
The minister opposed this provocation by saying that NATO had responded with “clarity, unity, determination and caution”. However, retired US Army General Ben Hodges wrote in an article about X that NATO alliance is not prepared for an emergency if expensive fighter jets are needed to defend themselves against drones.
A fighter mission is almost always economically irrational against cheap dronesIt is reportedly only between $ 20,000 and $ 50,000 to produce.
No 'tangible breakthroughs' of diplomacy
Pistorius also emphasized the support of Europe on Ukraine and announced that two more Patriot defense systems will be supplied to KYIV by 2026 with the support of Norway.
“We want Ukraine to defend itself against future threats,” said Pistorius, adding that Ukraine “sustainable support, more resilience, more opportunities and inclusive growth” should be offered “.
However, the Ukrainian and European Defense industry must work “closer and more effectively”, he said, adding that the EU should support this with a “much more flexible regulatory framework”.
Given the threats for Ukraine, this is “in our own strategic importance,” he said, especially because the US increasingly focused its attention in other regions, while “we guarantee peace and collective safety here”.
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He concluded with an expression of desire for peace, which he, however, described as “Wishful Thinking” in current circumstances, because the reality in Ukraine did not correspond to peace. At least three people were killed and 76 were only injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine on Sunday.
“Diplomatic efforts have not brought tangible breakthroughs. Russia continues his war against Ukraine and has even intensified his attacks, with devastating consequences for the civilian population,” said Pistorius in Warsaw.
