Latest news with #Pistorius
Local Germany
2 days ago
- Politics
- Local Germany
Germany and Denmark announce navy patrol in Arctic
"Maritime threats are mounting... To name but a few, Russia is militarising the Arctic," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told a press conference. "We are seeing an increasing activity of Russian submarines operating in that area," the minister added, speaking alongside his Danish counterpart, Troels Lund Poulsen. Therefore, "as early as this year, Germany will show its presence in the North Atlantic and the Arctic," Pistorius said. The announcement comes at a time when attention to security in the Arctic has been heightened, with US President Donald Trump vowing to annex the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland, claiming security reasons. Trump and senior members of his administration have accused Denmark of having under-invested in Greenland's security. READ ALSO: Greenland leader says Trump's threats disrespectful Denmark criticises 'tone' of Vance's Greenland comments Sea ice loss driven by climate change is opening new shipping lanes and access to resources in the Arctic, fuelling a global power grab over the region. The Danish government announced at the beginning of the year it would spend 14.6 billion kroner ($2.3 billion) on strengthening security in the area, in collaboration with Greenland and the Faroe Islands -- another autonomous Danish territory. Pistorius said German support ship the Berlin would go from Iceland to Greenland and then Canada as part of a deployment named "Atlantic Bear". Advertisement "Along the route, we will exercise with our allies in the region, and we have planned the first port call of a German navy ship to Nuuk in Greenland," Pistorius said. "We will then, for the first time, take part in the Canadian Arctic exercise, Nanook," the minister continued, adding that "we will deploy our maritime patrol aircraft, submarines and frigates to demonstrate our commitment to that region." Poulsen meanwhile said he would unveil new investments for the Arctic this week.
DW
6 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Germany updates: Many want to work, but can't – DW – 06/27/2025
While Germany faces labor shortages, figures show much of its workforce is untapped with childcare and health concerns holding many people back. Meanwhile, the military conscription debate rumbles on. DW has the latest. A large pool of the German labor market isn't being used, according to recent data, at a time when business groups are bemoaning a lack of available staff. Childcare shortages are cited as one reason, especially for women, while health concerns were the main issue that men listed as obstructing their path to work. At the same time, Defense Minister Pistorius has been defending a legal framework for conscription, though he's stressing that voluntary service is still the goal. The center-left politician has pushed back against conservative demands from within the coalition government for a quick return to the draft. He argues that Germany currently lacks the barracks and training space to make it German Bundestag has approved a two-year suspension of family reunification for certain migrants, passing the measure by a wide margin on Friday. The bill, introduced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), applies to relatives of people living in Germany without recognized asylum status. It was adopted with 444 votes in favor and 135 against. The far-right AfD had announced in advance that it would support the proposal from the conservative-Social Democrat coalition. Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has defended the proposed suspension of family reunification for refugees with subsidiary protection status, just ahead of a Bundestag vote. Speaking during Friday's parliamentary debate, Dobrindt — from Bavaria's conservative CSU party — said the measure would reduce immigration by 12,000 people annually and disrupt criminal networks and smugglers' business models. Critics of the renewed suspension point to the constitutional protection of family life and warn of negative consequences for integration. Supporters of it, meanwhile, argue that many municipalities have reached their intake limits. Also in the Bundestag today, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is pushing to ban public funding for NGOs that it claims act as political allies of other parties. They argue the move about protecting state neutrality — but critics see it as a crackdown on civil society and dissent. Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has defended calls for a legal mechanism to allow military conscription while insisting that voluntary service remains the current priority. Speaking to the DPA news agency ahead of a national conference of his Social Democratic Party (SPD), Pistorius emphasized that his position differs from that of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, which governs in coalition with the SPD. The conservatives are pressing for a swift return to mandatory military service. The minister argued that drafting soldiers is not currently feasible due to insufficient barracks and training facilities, despite increased infrastructure investment in recent years. For the time being, he said, the number of volunteers is sufficient. However, Pistorius rejected outright opposition to a draft. "I also oppose the voices that believe we must exclude any form of obligation," he said. He noted that it is not possible to predict when mandatory conscription might be needed, but said the key issue is legal preparedness. "The decisive factor is that the mechanism is enshrined in the law," he said. "From the very beginning, it was important to me that we do not introduce the obligation lightly—and certainly not unilaterally. The draft legislation therefore stipulates that such a step would require the approval of both the Cabinet and the Bundestag." "To be clear: if we can ensure our security with voluntary service, then that is what we will stick to," he said. Conscription was suspended in 2011 but remains enshrined in the German constitution. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Some 3.1 million people in Germany want to work but are not actively seeking jobs or immediately available for employment, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office. These individuals, aged 15 to 74, are part of what statisticians refer to as the "hidden reserve" of the labor market. While not currently participating in the workforce, they express a desire for paid employment. Nearly 1.8 million of those counted in the 2024 were considered to be relatively far removed from active working life, the office in Wiesbaden reported. Among them, 930,000 are not looking for work because they believe no suitable position is available. For another 380,000, responsibilities such as caregiving duties are the main barrier. Amongwomen aged 25 to 59, 31.3% said they could not take up work because of caregiving responsibilities. For men in the same age group, health problems were the leading reason for inactivity, affecting 35.5%. This group does not include officially unemployed individuals, who are available to the labor market. That number was around 1.5 million in 2024. Combined, the unused labor potential in Germany for the year totaled approximately 4.6 million people. At the same time, business groups say labor shortages — particularly in skilled roles — are part of a structural crisis that is causing Germany to lag behind its international competitors. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video from DW's newsroom in a rainy but warm Bonn, and welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany on Friday, June 27 About 3.1 million people in Germany want to work but, for one reason or another, haven't been actively job hunting or aren't ready to start right away, new figures show. This group doesn't include officially unemployed individuals who are available to the labor market. Combined, the unused labor potential in Germany for the year totaled approximately 4.6 million people. Meanwhile, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is once again floating the idea of bringing back a legal framework for conscription — but he's keen to stress that this doesn't mean a return to mandatory military service just yet. For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Europe must prepare for US scaling down support for Ukraine, Pistorius says
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Europe must begin preparing for a gradual reduction in U.S. military support for both the continent and Ukraine, Tagesschau reported on June 13. "Yes, that's right. That would be so, and we have to deal with that," Pistorius told journalists in response to a question about the U.S. potentially scaling down its support. He noted that the discussions focus on a reduction in U.S. backing rather than a full halt. The comments come after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Washington would reduce the assistance allocated to Ukraine in the next year's federal budget. "We now have to look at how much support drops and whether Europeans can compensate for it," Pistorius added. While the U.S. has been Ukraine's leading military backer under former President Joe Biden, the Trump administration has yet to approve any aid packages and has become increasingly disengaged from peace talks. Pistorius's comments come amid increasing uncertainty in transatlantic relations. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed on May 16 that the United States plans to begin discussions with European allies later this year about reducing its military presence on the continent. Speaking at a security conference in Estonia, Whitaker said the talks would begin after the NATO summit in The Hague in June. "Nothing has been determined," Whitaker said, according to Reuters. "But as soon as we do, we are going to have these conversations in the structure of NATO." Whitaker emphasized that any drawdown would be closely coordinated to avoid creating security gaps. Still, he reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's position that long-standing U.S. efforts to reduce its European military footprint must now be implemented. "This is going to be orderly, but we are not going to have any more patience for foot-dragging in this situation," he said. In February, Hegseth reportedly told NATO allies that "stark strategic realities" prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe's security. Leaks reported by the Atlantic in March revealed that both Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance privately criticized European defense spending, with Hegseth allegedly expressing his "loathing of European free-loading." Trump called on NATO member states to increase defense spending up to 5% of GDP. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague on June 24–25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that member states will have agreed to a new goal of increasing defense spending. "We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4%, and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," Rubio told Fox News on May 15. Such a move would mark a historic shift, with NATO partners collectively accounting for more than half of the alliance's military capacity, according to Rubio. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, NATO members have significantly increased their defense spending, with countries like Poland and the Baltic nations aiming to reach the 5% target in the coming years. Read also: Ukraine bracing for 'painful' reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German defense chief pledges $10 billion in Ukraine aid for 2025
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Germany is on track to give €9 billion ($10.4 billion) in aid to Ukraine in 2025, maintaining the country's position as one of Kyiv's key backers. The amount was announced by Berlin's defense minister, Boris Pistorius, during his visit to Ukraine on June 12. It marks the fifth time that Pistorius has visited Kyiv since the outbreak of the war when Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Some of the forthcoming assistance will take the form of joint ventures between the German and Ukrainian military-industrial complexes, an idea that was presented earlier this year and has been pushed by Germany's new conservative leadership. Joint defense production projects are in line to get €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) of the overall funding. Part of the amount will be dedicated to financing long-range weapon systems that will be manufactured in Ukraine. Under the arrangement, Germany will provide funding while Ukraine will contribute its battlefield-tested technological know-how. 'The first systems should be available in the next few months,' Pistorius said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who in turn said that the joint venture was an expression of deep trust in Berlin. Pistorius noted that 'the picture of war has changed' from traditional tanks and jets to electromagnetic warfare and drone combat, making this technological exchange valuable for both countries. The Social Democratic defense minister, who has often been at odds with his own party, has pushed forcefully for German rearmament and a more prominent military posture on the world stage. Also in Kyiv, Pistorius addressed a longstanding elephant in the room by saying that Germany was not planning to transfer its Taurus cruise missiles, widely considered one of the most advanced available, to Kyiv. 'Since you asked me whether we are considering this, my answer is no,' Pistorius told a journalist. The government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously maintained a purposely ambiguous posture on the matter. However, Germany will deliver more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that the assistance would be provided under a three-year plan, but said he would not provide further details. The Ukrainian president did, however, let slip that he expects Ukraine to localize the production of 'very high-quality' German air defense systems, which may suggest a plan to produce the systems inside the country. Currently, IRIS-T air defense systems are made in Germany. The supply plan builds on substantial existing contracts. In May, Ukraine and Germany signed a €2.2 billion ($2.54 billion) contract for IRIS-T systems and missiles, covering four complete surface-launched units with mobile launchers, radars, command centers, and missiles. Air defense has been identified as one of the key priorities for Ukraine in light of relentless Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities using cruise missiles and drones. Germany's total aid in support of Ukraine amounts to €48 billion ($55.5 billion) since the start of the war, as of April 30, the government said in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Of that, €15.6 billion ($18 billion) was military assistance. Germany remains the largest supporter of Ukraine aside from the United States. Under Merz's chancellorship, Berlin has stopped releasing detailed tallies of its military support to Kyiv, citing operational security.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany's Pistorius again rejects his party's Russia policy demands
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday again rejected demands from his centre-left colleagues for a reversal in the government's Russia policy, citing ongoing Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine. "How anyone can even imagine closer cooperation with Russia at this stage is completely baffling," Pistorius, one of the leading figures in Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), told public broadcaster ZDF. His comments come after prominent SPD figures issued a position paper calling for a shift in Germany's approach to Russia. The manifesto, signed by former parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich, ex-party chief Norbert Walter-Borjans, foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner, and several federal and state lawmakers, urges direct diplomatic talks with Moscow and criticizes the government's rearmament plans. The SPD is the current junior partner in the coalition government. Speaking from Kiev on Thursday, Pistorius responded by referring to former SPD chancellor Willy Brandt. He said Brandt supported strong defence spending because he knew that "negotiations with the Soviet side could only take place from a position of strength." Germany is the largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine behind the United States.
