The head of the German Defense Ministry announced the need for Europe to accelerate the rearmament of the army

interfax: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Europe needs to prepare for new military threats, and European countries have five to eight years to strengthen their defense potential.

“We have 5-8 years to catch up in terms of the armed forces, industry and society,” Western media quoted him as saying.

Europe could face new military challenges by the end of this decade as the US shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific, Pistorius said.

He noted that Europe may also need to increase the volume of assistance to Ukraine in return for the United States, if Washington does not agree on the allocation of new funds for the needs of Kyiv.

“We Europeans must take on more responsibilities to guarantee security on our own continent,” the minister stressed.

Pistorius also said that the formation of a new Polish government should encourage the Weimar Triangle countries - Germany, Poland and France - to develop defense cooperation. The head of the German Ministry of Defense expressed his desire to visit Poland next year.

He touched upon the topic of the Bundeswehr's participation in foreign missions, explaining that it was too early to talk about operations like those that took place in Afghanistan and Mali.

“But limited missions, especially with military consultations and cooperation, including with countries that do not share our values, will be mandatory. The alternative will be a lack of contact with such countries and their transition to the influence of the Russians and Chinese; and this will be much more dangerous,” - Pistorius added.