During a visit to Poland and the Baltic states, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reaffirmed Western support for Ukraine and warned that Russia is becoming an "growing threat" for NATO, reports "Euronews".
Pistorius took part in the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday and then traveled to the Lithuanian city of Rukla, where he opened the logistics center for the Permanent Logistics Support (PLSA) for the Bundeswehr brigade in Lithuania together with his Lithuanian counterpart Dovilė Šakalienė.
He called the Russian drones violating Polish and Estonian airspace and flying over the German frigate in the Baltic Sea "dangerous" and "reckless" actions.
"The Russian Federation is the biggest and most immediate threat to NATO and will remain so for us for the foreseeable future," Pistorius said. "That is why we are here. Germany takes its responsibility seriously. We keep our word. We stand behind our allies and are ready to defend the Baltic states."
He was referring to Germany's 45th Armored Brigade, which is stationed in Lithuania. The "combat-ready" Bundeswehr brigade, with around 5,000 soldiers, will be stationed in Lithuania by 2027.
"Putin is deliberately trying to undermine the security of Europe and the territorial integrity of European nations."
Before traveling to Lithuania, Pistorius spoke at the Warsaw Security Forum. There, he said that Russia was becoming an "increasing threat" to NATO. He pointed to the violations of airspace by drones registered in Poland in recent weeks.
"This is unacceptable," said Pistorius, who called the incident a "violation of international law." and "an irresponsible provocation at a time of already heightened tensions" that could lead to "very dangerous misunderstandings".
European Union (EU) leaders will discuss four new projects in October aimed at strengthening the bloc's defense capabilities amid ongoing threats from Russia, according to a European Commission document reviewed by "Reuters".
The proposals will be included in a "Roadmap for EU Defense Capabilities" drawn up by the Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaia Kallas.
The projects will be open to participation by all member states, European Commission sources said.
EU leaders will hold an informal summit on October 1 in Copenhagen to discuss these initiatives and further support for Ukraine. The main meeting of the European Council is scheduled for 23-24 October in Brussels, when the projects are expected to be examined in detail and the next steps for their implementation are set.