Wary of Russia, German Defense Minister Pistorius Is Growing His Army

New York Times - WorldEN 6 min read 100% complete by Christopher F. SchuetzeDecember 5, 2025 at 02:51 PM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is working to expand the country's military in response to escalating tensions with Russia. On Friday, German lawmakers approved a law aiming to increase the number of soldiers to 260,000 by 2035, a nearly 50% increase. The plan includes incentives like higher pay and training for civilian careers, and requires all 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire assessing their fitness for service. While the law stops short of reinstating conscription, it mandates parliamentary discussion on the matter if volunteer recruitment falls short. This initiative reflects a significant shift in Germany's post-World War II defense posture, driven by concerns about potential Russian aggression in Europe.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Russia ×280% Boris Pistorius ×5100% Germany ×6100%

Keywords

german military 90% boris pistorius 80% rearmament 80% defense policy 70% russia 70% european defense 60% military recruitment 60% nato 50% conscription 50% german history 40%