German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said there are no indications that the United States plans to withdraw from NATO, urging European countries to show greater confidence in their relations with Washington.
In an interview with German media outlet RND, Pistorius stressed that Europe should not passively wait for signals from the White House, but instead focus on strengthening its own strategic autonomy.
“It would be a mistake to keep staring at the White House like a rabbit at a snake, waiting for something to happen,” Pistorius said. “We would lose focus on what matters most: becoming more sovereign and independent.”
Criticism of Politics of Fear
Pistorius criticized what he described as policies of uncertainty and fear used by U.S. President Donald Trump to achieve political goals.
“Those who act out of fear make wrong decisions,” he said. “That is why we do not allow ourselves to be intimidated.”
Mutual Dependence Between Europe and the US
The German defense minister emphasized that transatlantic relations are based on mutual dependence.
“Europe needs the United States, but the United States also needs Europe,” Pistorius stated, adding that Europe remains of major geostrategic and geoeconomic importance to Washington.
He warned that if Europe were to fall into Russia’s sphere of influence, the United States would find itself strategically squeezed between China and Russia, a scenario he said would not serve Washington’s interests.
NATO Foundations Remain Intact
Addressing recent tensions related to Greenland, Pistorius underlined that the fundamental principles underpinning NATO have not been called into question.
“There are no signs that the United States will leave NATO,” he concluded.
