Defence funding questioned Pistorius defends deterrence

Jun 5, 2024

In the complete Florian Hahn question and its follow-up block, Pistorius says he has requested about €6.5–7 billion more for the next budget, with negotiations unresolved. He distinguishes full commitment of the special fund by the end of 2024 from disbursements through 2027, declines to disclose any resignation threshold and leaves later financing sources to government deliberations. Rainer Rothfuß urges negotiations; Pistorius says Putin started the war, can end it and that Germany must support Ukraine while remaining outside the war. Joe Weingarten asks about Quadriga in Lithuania; Pistorius praises the 10th Armoured Division's allied training and Lithuanian infrastructure progress. Martin Reichardt questions the purpose of rearmament; Pistorius defends Ukraine support amid a disorderly exchange and Bas calls for respect. Marlon Bröhr asks about financing after the special fund, and Thomas Röwekamp challenges the relationship between peace campaigning and war readiness; Pistorius says deterrent capability safeguards peace. In Gesine Lötzsch's final question about an ambassador's air-defence suggestion, he says it is not technically on the agenda and qualifies his assurance that Germany will not become a war party with 'as far as it is up to us'.

Pistorius tells Lucassen that Germany is not considering sending soldiers to Ukraine and rejects the premise that France has decided to send ground troops to his knowledge. In Lötzsch's later question he says an ambassador's proposal for air defence from NATO territory is not technically on the agenda and qualifies his assurance against becoming a war party with 'as far as it is up to us'. He disputes Nastić's rendition of a Research Services assessment and says self-defence rights do not remove bilateral long-range restrictions. Opposition legal allegations and his contrary position remain attributed.