German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rejected calls for a change of course on Russia at the Social Democratic Party conference, DPA reports.
Pistorius rejects SPD calls to change approach to Russia
Amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany's ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) faces internal debate over its policy toward Moscow.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius denied the possibility of talks with Vladimir Putin and stressed the need to strengthen defence capabilities.
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“This imperialist in the Kremlin does not want to negotiate, he does not want peace,” Pistorius said.
He added that it is necessary to catch up with NATO and achieve equal positions with the Alliance in terms of the level of defense capabilities.
“If we avoid this and hide in sadness behind the world, which may be understandable but is certainly not helpful now, then we will lose precious time,” the minister said.
He added that Putin understands only “the language of force, not threats, but force.”
Pistorius responded to fellow party member Ralf Stegner, who co-authored a policy document calling for a change in Germany's approach to Russia.
Stegner, in turn, declared a consensus on the need to increase defense capabilities.
“But we need to discuss whether this crazy rearmament is the right path overall,” he added.
The German SPD has been criticized for its historical sympathies towards Moscow, which have persisted in the party, especially after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
