Germany and the United Kingdom have taken over the presidency of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius addressed Russia's ongoing attacks in Ukraine, stating, "Kryvyi Rih must not be repeated."

For the first time, Germany and the UK took the lead in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which was initiated and chaired by the US during the presidency of former President Joe Biden. The first meeting will be held on Friday at NATO headquarters in Brussels. A total of 40 countries will discuss military support for Ukraine. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will participate online, but according to Pistorius, the US will be represented in Brussels by a delegation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also be present at the meeting. German Defense Minister Pistorius conducted an on-site analysis of the current situation in Ukraine: "Despite all the hopes repeatedly emphasized by the US President, Putin continues to attack Ukraine without slowing down and is not only turning a blind eye to the increasing civilian casualties but is likely accepting them deliberately." He also added that attacks on civilian infrastructure are increasing and there is no visible decrease in Putin's hostilities. "It seems he accepts and disregards the deaths of civilians, including children, as seen recently in Ukraine's industrial city Kryvyi Rih. Therefore, it is absolutely clear to me that we still need a militarily strong Ukraine and that Ukraine needs our support."

More military support After the approval of a debt-financed financial package last month, the Budget Committee allocated an additional three billion euros to Ukraine. These extra funds will be invested in various ranges of air defense systems and guided missiles, including 300 guided missiles, 300 reconnaissance drones, 120 MANPADS, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 5 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 14 artillery systems, 100 ground surveillance radars, 30 PATRIOT guided missiles, an additional 100,000 artillery ammunition, and four IRIS-T air defense systems, as well as munitions and spare parts.

"We are making the Bundeswehr more attractive" In addition to the support given to Ukraine, Pistorius also referred to the coalition agreement recently signed between CDU/CSU and SPD. The German Defense Minister stated in Brussels, "With this agreement, we are paving the way for a strong Bundeswehr. This is extremely important and therefore important for our security in Germany and Europe. Because no one can ignore a reality: We are at the beginning of a new era, and we will need to prove ourselves in the coming years." Pistorius said, however, that this would depend on "whether we can succeed in having deterrence and defense capability and do so in a coherent and appropriate manner in a short time."

"For this, we will spend a lot of money. This alone carries historic significance, and we will ensure that this money is used quickly, efficiently, and wisely. We are optimizing the structure of the Bundeswehr. We will ensure the growth and sustainability of the troops with a new military service."

The reinstatement of mandatory military service, suspended in 2011, is not part of the coalition agreement between CDU/CSU and SPD. The newly formed government plans to adopt the "Swedish model," meaning military service will be based on volunteerism rather than compulsion. Pistorius wants to make the Bundeswehr more attractive to combat personnel shortages. "This is both a prerequisite and a result. We will also accelerate procurement and planning, as well as the expansion of infrastructure, by reducing bureaucracy. This is also clearly expressed as a goal for this legislative term."