German Defense Minister Pistorius: Germany will not join Russia’s provocations and will not fall into Putin’s trap

German Defense Minister Pistorius: Germany will not join Russia’s provocations and will not fall into Putin’s trap

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has emphasized that Germany will not engage in Russia's provocations and will not fall into Vladimir Putin's trap, as tensions between NATO and Russia escalate. The statement comes amidst significant military expansions and preparations by Germany in response to recent Russian incursions into NATO territory.

Germany's armed forces are preparing for a potential conflict, with the Surgeon General Ralf Hoffmann estimating that they may need to treat up to 1,000 wounded troops per day if a large-scale conflict with Russia were to occur . This estimate is based on the intensity of battle and the involvement of different military units. The German military is also adapting its medical training to incorporate lessons from the war in Ukraine, where the nature of warfare has shifted significantly from gunshot injuries to blast wounds and burns caused by drones and loitering munitions .

In response to these threats, Germany's Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has presented a 2026 budget that includes a massive increase in military spending to bolster Germany's "deterrence and defense capability" against Russia . Defense outlays are set to jump to a post-Cold War record of €108 billion ($128 billion), up from around €86 billion in 2025. This significant increase is aimed at transforming the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest conventional army and ensuring Germany's reliability as a NATO partner.

The budget also includes a special debt-financed fund set up under the previous government, which will contribute €26 billion to the defense spending. Klingbeil emphasized that Germany's debt of around 65% of gross domestic product is the lowest among G7 economies, allowing for increased borrowing to finance the spending .

The German military is also expanding its medical service to meet the potential demands of a conflict. Hoffmann estimated that approximately 15,000 hospital beds from Germany's total capacity of up to 440,000 would be needed . The military is exploring flexible transport options, including hospital trains and buses, and expanding medical evacuation by air.

Klingbeil warned that Russia could be in a position to attack NATO territory by 2029, underscoring the urgency of these preparations . Despite these preparations, Germany remains committed to avoiding escalation and maintaining a defensive posture.