Pistorius Blasts Trump Over Afghanistan, Defends NATO Unity

Germany’s Defense Minister addressed a range of security issues, from Ukraine’s war effort to NATO cohesion and the long-term rebuilding of Germany’s armed forces, during comments responding to speeches by Zelensky and Trump.

Zelensky’s Davos Speech and Europe’s Role

Pistorius described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a leader under extreme pressure, speaking “out of desperation” as his country continues to face immense strain from Russia’s war.

While acknowledging the urgency behind Zelensky’s message, Pistorius said Europe is not as defenseless as some portray it to be.

To say that Europe is not capable of defending itself is wrong. Conventionally, we are capable of doing so and we are becoming stronger.

He added that Europeans “could and should do more” to support Ukraine, signaling openness to deeper military and political engagement.

Pistorius Slams Trump’s Afghanistan Remarks

Responding to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about NATO’s role in Afghanistan, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the comments “indecent and disrespectful” to the memory of allied soldiers who fought and died alongside American forces.Trump had said in a recent interview that the United States “never needed” NATO troops in Afghanistan and suggested allied forces stayed “a little off the front lines,” a claim that deeply offended European partners and veterans.

Pistorius emphasised that NATO’s collective defence principle had been tested and proven after the September 11 terrorist attacks, when Article 5 was invoked and thousands of troops from allied nations—including Germany—deployed to Afghanistan in solidarity with the U.S. He said denying this shared history was “simply not true” and reiterated that mutual respect among allies is fundamental to the transatlantic allianc

Everyone stood by the USA. To claim something different today is simply not true.

Rebuilding the Bundeswehr

Turning to Germany’s own military readiness, Pistorius acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing the Bundeswehr after decades of underinvestment.

We cannot work miracles. You cannot make up for thirty years of neglect overnight.

Still, the defense minister insisted that reforms and investments are beginning to show results, arguing that Germany is gradually strengthening its armed forces as part of a broader European and NATO-wide effort.

Pistorius framed the rebuilding process as essential not only for Germany’s security, but also for reinforcing Europe’s credibility as a defense actor within the transatlantic alliance.