Event Recap

Event Recap

Mar 29, 2022

German defense minister: ‘We cannot look away or stand apart’ on Ukraine

By Brian McGee

Germany is committed to stepping up in global efforts to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia, German Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht said at an Atlantic Council Front Page event.

Conflict Crisis Management

The Atlantic Council hosted an Atlantic Council Front Page event featuring the Minister of Defence of Germany Christine Lambrecht, on March 29, 2022.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has catalyzed what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called a Zeitenwende, a sea change in Germany’s strategic outlook, culminating in a historic shift of Germany’s foreign and defense policy. Within weeks, Germany dedicated a special 100 billion Euro fund to defense investments, and pledged to meet the NATO defense spending target of 2 percent from this year onwards. The German government has already begun turning this rhetoric into action, most notably with the announcement of the plan to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the United States. With a more active German role in Europe’s security and defense, Germany will be critical to defending the transatlantic alliance and shaping Europe’s future security and defense posture.

As Germany grapples with the implications of its rapid policy changes, Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht joined the Atlantic Council for a discussion covering topics from the future of German defense posture to defense investments, especially in the face of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

An #ACFrontPage Event

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen programs and centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.

Featuring

H.E. Christine Lambrecht

Minister of Defence of Germany

In conversation with

Vivian Salama

National Security Correspondent
The Wall Street Journal

Europe Center

The Europe Center promotes leadership, strategies and analysis to ensure a strong, ambitious and forward-looking transatlantic relationship.

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The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.

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