'Germany is not able to defend itself against Russia without the US' - chancellery minister Schmidt

India and South Africa will attend the G7 summit in Elmau, according to the Head of German Chancellery, Wolfgang Schmidt in an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle in Washington D.C. He said the entire international community must discuss how to deal with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, not just a few countries alone.

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[richhagenchicago]

The reality is that we here in the U.S. also need Germany and Europe in general as well. The challenges to the World are too big for any one country to keep a handle on by itself. These autocratic aggressors will take advantage of any opportunity to seize territory from others and are willing to start wars to do so. It is best to deter them and Germany, as well as my country can play a big roll in that and working together, that deterrence of aggression is much greater than working alone.

[ClannerJake]

unlike the current president of america, i have a functional memory center and remember germany and its likes laughing at our leadership saying this scenario was in the pipe. panic, you're in for 2 more years of global anarchy and you're the closest western target to all the crazies, and if they hit you it will be a proxy takedown on america cause our finances are linked. enjoy the ride, you all worked hard for it.

[MaxB]

Someone told you that 3 years ago and no one listened

[squirepraggerstope]

True, regrettably. It's because you've spent almost the entirety of the last three decades freeloading on the very few NATO states that have been somewhat willing to meet their minimum defence spending commitments. Principally the USA, but also the UK, Poland, Greece, Turkey and, at least most of the time, France.

Indeed, Germany's record has been espcially unedifying. All the more, in view of her position as the alliance's 2nd largest economy by quite some way, with annual GDP significantly greater than either 3d-ranked Britain or 4th-ranked France, both of which have nevertheless spent notably more to maintain their own armed forces

[twilightstar]

At least he's honest on who Germany's* daddy is

[Kraanvelt]

Germany couldn't defend itself from most nations given its long sought demilitarisation.

[Juhrmee]

As an American, I will be voting only for politicians who seek strong ties with our allies. The US needs the west as much as the west needs the US. We must never break our bonds.

[HausBauConstruction]

given the "performance" of the Russian troops in Ukraine they would stand no chance against Germany; but that scenario is solely hypothetical because Germany's NATO membership. welcome Finland!

[zionen]

Democracies of the world must stand united, lest we regress to the old times of monarchies and slavery. We take what we have for granted, but a world where a government works for you is probably one of the greatest human achievements of our history, it is also a fragile achievement that must be protected or it will be lost. There will always be Putins of the world who want to exert their prowess and command over the world.

[yingfengxuan]

then please pay the US. US's military budget is just too much, Germany can share some, maybe 20-30%?

[PopularesVox]

Unsurprisingly given WW2, Germans feel somewhat uneasy about anything that involves the military. However, this was a West German characteristic encourgaed by the Western allies. In East German under the USSR's occupation, militarism was encouraged to bolster Soviet control. East German soldiers participated in the suppression of the Prague Spring of 1968, and there was even a plan to capture West Berlin in the early 70's called " "Operation Centre" involving over 30, 000 troops.

[pauchel.lozano]

To sum it up Germany master is in Washington DC

[troyingram]

It is important for the Ukranian to keep the southern front in place to deter as many Russian forces from the north.

[KrotowX]

This is the case when Germany must benefit from participation in NATO. Germany have good manufacturing and engineering resources. US and UK have army. They both can benefit each from another while Germany restore their millitary potential to NATO requirements.

[lightwarrior]

No Country in Europe can Fight Russia alone without the support from other nations....

[julianshepherd]

Ukraine can defend itself but not the EU.

Seriously ?

[fredtan]

Russia has no intention of attacking, are you kidding!

[stevenkraft]

Certainly Germany has the resources to defend itself from Russia. However, besides the obvious financial issues around raising its defense spending to 3% or 4% of GDP, you have a post-WW2 pacifist mindset that has taken hold in Germany. That is a good thing on many levels, but now military service is looked on as disreputable by a large part of the German population. And of course you need a robust strategic and tactical nuclear deterrent to defend yourself from Russia. Germany doesn't have that and doesn't want to develop that, and it might alarm some of Europe if it did develop that.

[zacharycarter]

Lol not able to defend its self against russia couldnt do it during. Ww2 either 😂😂😂

[BLUEWAVE-kf]

Why announce this? RUSSIA didn't need to know that..