US and German defense chiefs meet to discuss Ukraine war, Indo-Pacific threats

Europe, News, US May 11, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the Pentagon in Washington on May 9, 2024, for a bilateral discussion on shared interests ranging from the war in Ukraine to operations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Defense chiefs of two NATO ally nations reaffirm their dedication to the bilateral defense relationship and their roles in the collective security of the Alliance. According to a Pentagon statement, Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude to Minister Pistorius for Germany’s dedication to Ukraine’s defense, regarding security aid and its leadership role within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

They also addressed the forthcoming NATO Summit scheduled for July and the commemoration of NATO’s 75th anniversary, underscoring the essential role of transatlantic collaboration. They stressed the importance of enhancing industrial cooperation to bolster joint defense efforts and interoperability within NATO.

The two defense chiefs also emphasized the significance of unity in confronting present security challenges. Secretary Austin praised Germany for meeting the collective NATO pledge to allocate at least two percent of Gross Domestic Product to defense spending this year.

Today, I met with my 🇩🇪 counterpart Boris Pistorius. German partnership in support of Ukraine and within the NATO Alliance is critical – always important to exchange views with a close Ally. #WeAreNATO https://t.co/bnog80uol1 pic.twitter.com/wxkYfPmLvb
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) May 9, 2024

“Germany’s plan for a permanent brigade in Lithuania is a historic commitment to strengthen European security,” he said. “And we commend Germany for reaching our shared NATO commitment to spend at least 2% of your GDP on defense this year. Germany remains one of our strongest and most reliable allies,” Austin said following his bilateral meeting with his German counterpart.

The secretary also noted Germany’s deployment of troops to support security and stability in the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans. “Whether deterring the Kremlin’s aggression or bolstering stability in the Indo-Pacific, our two proud democracies are in lockstep,” Austin said.

According to the Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Minister Pistorius also noted that two German frigates recently departed for the Indo-Pacific, underscoring Germany’s focus on the region.

^{U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stand for the playing of national anthems during an enhanced honor cordon and meeting hosted at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., on May 9, 2024. (Image Credit: DoD/U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)}

“A free and peaceful Indo-Pacific is important to all of us, and we want to help promote peace and stability in that region,” Pistorius said, adding that he looks forward to Germany’s participation in the Rim of the Pacific exercise, which begins in June this year.

Halting weapons supply to Israel

While visiting Washington, the German Defense Minister hinted that Berlin is also considering replicating the actions of the U.S. in suspending further arms deliveries should Israeli forces launch a full-scale invasion into the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

“This is currently being discussed,” Boris Pistorius said answering a question during a press briefing. Pistorius mentioned that Germany is carefully evaluating its options regarding military aid to “Israel”, with the final decision resting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Foreign Ministry.