Hegseth thanked Pistorius for Germany’s longstanding support for U.S. troops stationed in Germany. “Thank you for many years of partnership and friendship in that regard,” he said.
The Defence Secretary also recognised Germany’s recent defence advances, including its pledge to permanently station a brigade in Lithuania, a major procurement of F-35 fighter jets, and its role in supporting Ukraine. “I think we’ve seen incredible progress inside NATO and with Germany taking the leap on that upfront commitment to your spending, commitment to European leadership,” Hegseth stated.
The United States plans to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine, with NATO covering the costs. In the short term, Germany has agreed to send its own missiles to Ukraine, which NATO will later replenish.
Germany, alongside most NATO members, has committed to spending 5% of its GDP on defence by 2035, with a target of 3.5% in core defence spending by 2029. Rutte acknowledged that Germany has “stepped up massively” in supporting Ukraine and boosting defence industry output.
“I look forward to further partnership,” Hegseth told Pistorius, highlighting Germany’s leadership and defence purchases, including the 2022 decision to buy 35 F-35 aircraft. He also noted Germany’s commitment to placing a full brigade in Lithuania by 2027.
Pistorius emphasised the strength of the U.S.-German alliance, stating, “Germany and the United States share a long-standing, deep and trusted partnership — a partnership that strengthens not only our two nations, but also benefits the entire transatlantic alliance.” He described the bond as resilient in the face of global security challenges.
The German defence minister reiterated his country’s dedication to NATO and European defence. “In response to the shift in security landscape, Germany and our European allies have taken significant steps to reinforce European contributions within NATO,” Pistorius said.
Germany plans to deploy around 4,800 military personnel and civilian staff to Lithuania as part of its permanent brigade. This unit will include a mechanised infantry battalion, a tank battalion, and the multinational Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup.
“Let me assure you once more, Germany will continue to play a strong role and a reliable role in the alliance,” Pistorius affirmed. “We are firmly committed to fair burden sharing, and to building a more capable, more reliable, more resilient Europe with NATO.”
Source: United State Department of Defense.
