The rate of counter -offensive of the Armed Forces: The current year can become decisive in the war - Pistorius

The German Defense Minister stated that he was hoping for a major offensive of defense forces. This will help a large package of military assistance worth 2. 7 billion euros, which was recently provided to Kiev. German Minister Boris Pistorius suggested that 2023 would be decisive in the Russian-Ukrainian war. In an interview with the German publication of ZDF, the Head of the Defense Office stated on June 28 that he was counting on the successful counter -offensive of the Ukrainian army.

"It is very likely that this year will be decisive, now the decisive months are ongoing. That is why Germany provided a large package of 2. 7 billion euros a few weeks ago," Pistorius said. According to him, Germany is now the second significant supporter of Ukraine after the United States. In this context, Pistorius confirmed that the Federal Government still seeks NATO's goal for the use of 2% of the gross domestic product for defense costs.

The minister also answered the question of what would happen if the Ukrainian armed forces could not succeed during the counter -offensive. Pistorius replied that then it would be necessary to look at how the events would develop and wait. "I bet on a big offensive, on a counter -offensive, and everything else will be in place," the Minister of Defense emphasized.

Recall that the Federal Government of Germany, together with the United States, plan to provide Ukraine with 45 anti -aircraft self -propelled Gepard. According to the German military, the air defense systems are the main vulnerability of the current counter -offensive operation of the Ukrainian army. German Foreign Minister Annalen Berbbus said on June 21 that Ukraine has achieved some success in reforms for entry into the EU.