Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has announced a realignment of Germany's security policy in view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

The "war in violation of international law" by Russian President Vladimir Putin "confronts us with a new security policy reality," said Baerbock on Friday in a keynote speech at the start of the process of developing a new German security strategy in Berlin.

Germany must also assume more responsibility within NATO.

The Russian war in Ukraine is a "geopolitical turning point with far-reaching effects on European security," stressed Baerbock.

When developing a new national security strategy, Germany must therefore “think security not from the past, but from the future”.

Russia's aggressive approach is clear: "No country, not even Germany, can be neutral on questions of war and peace, on questions of justice and injustice," said the Green politician.

This is particularly true in view of German history.

"For us, and indeed for me, a special responsibility arises from the German guilt for war and genocide," said Baerbock.

This means the obligation "to stand by those whose lives, freedom and rights are threatened".

As the three essential elements of a new concept of security, Baerbock described the "inviolability of life" - i.e. protection against war and violence, the "security of the freedom of our lives" in democracy and the "security of the foundations of our lives".

Where war wipes out the basis of life, there can be no security, said Baerbock.

"But even where the consequences of climate change, hunger, poverty and a lack of prosperity force people to suffer, there is no basis for a secure life in freedom".

National security strategy anchored in the traffic light coalition agreement

The development of a national security strategy is anchored in the traffic light coalition agreement.

It is the first project of this kind in the history of the Federal Republic.

Baerbock announced cross-departmental cooperation in developing the strategy.

The Bundestag, experts and civil society actors should also be involved.

The Ukraine war shows "once again that security depends on NATO's ability to form alliances," emphasized Baerbock.

She therefore asked Germany to assume more responsibility in the alliance.

For the new security policy strategy, this means on the one hand that the "previous tripwire logic", which uses minimum military presences in the Baltic States and Poland to signal that an attack on one NATO country is an attack on everyone, does not exist in its current form more will be enough,” said Baerbock.

A long-term design of the recent strengthening of NATO's eastern flank as well as military exercises geared to the new realities would have to "take into account the fact that the entire eastern alliance area is subject to a new threat," said Baerbock.

This means that "we must set up NATO presences in the countries of south-eastern Europe", but also that "NATO's nuclear deterrence must remain credible".

For this reason, the federal government decided to procure nuclear-capable F-35 stealth jets.

Nevertheless, Baerbock called for an "honest debate" about "how we can create the conditions for disarmament steps".

In addition, the federal government will also develop a new China strategy.

"We have to face up to our economic dependencies intensively," said Baerbock. "Now we are experiencing that a one-sided economic orientation is making us vulnerable." in Africa will no longer be able to deliver.

Germany must become independent of fossil energy imports, but must not fall into new dependencies.

"Of course we also have to talk to authoritarian regimes," said Baerbock.

"What is decisive is that we don't allow ourselves to be banished to silence, that we don't swallow things down because we are economically or energy-politically dependent, but that we take a stand, even if it's difficult."