Germany’s new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, officially took office on Thursday at a time when Germany is under growing pressure from Western allies to allow German-made battle tanks to be used in Ukraine to strengthen its defence against Russia’s invasion.
Pistorius takes over from Christine Lambrecht, who announced her resignation on Monday after a series of blunders.
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented a certificate of appointment to Pistorius, who until now was interior minister of Lower Saxony, and wished him luck, adding that he was taking over during Germany’s most dangerous period in a long time.
Germany vows to support Ukraine
Steinmeier, who mainly plays a ceremonial role in the German political system, also stressed that Germany would…
