The German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, indicated this Thursday that Berlin is prepared to assume a more relevant role and a greater burden within NATO, after the confirmation of the United States' plans to cut its military deployment in Europe.
"Our objective is a new distribution of burdens that adjusts to the economic and military potential of Germany and Europe," he assured in statements prior to the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Sweden. "Germany thus assumes its leadership responsibility," he indicated in statements collected by the DPA agency, before his trip to Helsingborg.
The head of German diplomacy stressed that, as European capabilities are strengthened, "tasks within the Alliance must also be readjusted," insisting that Berlin is willing to play a more prominent leadership role in NATO structures.
Regarding the spending targets agreed at the Hague summit, when the allies agreed to allocate 3.5% of GDP to the defense budget and 1.5% to military infrastructure and investments, the German official indicated that Germany wants to reach the target as soon as possible.
According to what he said, if European countries acquire greater responsibilities in NATO, they also have to set priorities that maximize Europe's security. In this way, he proposed taking concrete proposals to Sweden to support Ukraine, while also backing the Ukrainian arms industry.