Europe must rearm as new threats loom, German minister says

Europe must race to ensure it can better defend itself as new military threats could emerge by the end of the decade even as the focus of security ally the United States shifts towards the Indo-Pacfic, Germany’s defense minister said.
Russia was hiking its weapons production considerably to sustain its invasion of Ukraine, while also threatening the Baltic states, Georgia and Moldova, Boris Pistorius was quoted as saying in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.
Meanwhile the United States will likely reduce its military engagement in Europe as it turns more towards the Indo-Pacfic.
“We Europeans must engage more to ensure security on our own continent,” said Pistorius, noting however it would take time for the region to increase its own weapons production.
“We have about 5-8 years to catch up, in terms of armed forces, industry and society,” he said.
Europe is clear it may also need to compensate for U.S. aid for Ukraine if Washington fails to agree new funding, he added.