Baerbock calls for an increase in the Bundeswehr's special funds. Several security experts are in favor, the Defense Minister is against it.
Foreign Minister Baerbock called for strengthening European defense capabilities, particularly with a view to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. "We Europeans must be able to defend ourselves better, as laid out in the National Security Strategy," said Baerbocks. The threat of former US President Donald Trump, who was seeking re-election, to refuse military assistance to defaulting NATO members had fueled the debate.