German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius can understand Ukraine’s limited attacks on Russian territory. Pistorius also announced that he expected a decision on Ukraine’s entry into NATO only after the end of the war.
Berlin – It is “completely normal” in such a military conflict, “that the person attacked also moves into enemy territory, for example to prevent supply routes,” said the SPD politician on Thursday evening in the ZDF program “Maybrit Illner “ . “As long as no cities, no civilians, no civilian areas are attacked, you will have to accept that. Not gladly, but it is part of it, for example to prevent supply routes. »
At the same time, he made it clear that the West must keep in mind “how this war is being fought” when making decisions about arms deliveries to Kiev . “If Ukraine demands certain types of bombs that are banned worldwide, then you have to say no.” Ukraine had demanded cluster munitions and phosphorus incendiary weapons.
With regard to the state of the Russian army, Pistorius , who was born in Osnabrück, said: “We know that some of the material that is now being pushed in from the depots is in a pitiful condition. Some are literally ancient – tanks from the 50s and 60s.» It is not possible to estimate exactly how high the production capacity for the new device is. “You speculate about numbers in the dozens or 20s – but over a relatively long period of time.” He spoke of a “look into the crystal ball”. Against this background, he stressed that it is important that support for Ukraine continues.
Pistorius: Now is not the time to make a decision on Kiev’s NATO membership
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assumes that a decision on Ukraine’s entry into NATO will only be made after Russia’s war of aggression has ended. “The door is open a crack, but this is not the time to decide now,” said the SPD politician on Thursday evening on the ZDF program “Maybrit Illner”. To do this, you have to “first fend off this conflict, this attack, and then in the new era you have to weigh up this step carefully”. It’s not a question “that you just meet out of solidarity” because the step has an effect. “You have to decide with a cool head and a warm heart and not the other way around.”
During a surprise visit to Kiev , Oslo-born NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg promised Ukraine further support in its efforts to join the military alliance. So far, there is no precise timeline for Ukraine’s accession. At the beginning of April, Stoltenberg had indirectly ruled out joining in times of war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , who was born in Kryvyi Rih , called on NATO on Thursday evening to clear the way for his country’s admission to the Western military alliance at its summit in July. (dpa)
