BERLIN

Germany's defense minister on Wednesday accused Russia of not responding positively to a revised peace plan for Ukraine.

Addressing lawmakers in parliament, Boris Pistorius defended the government's plan to significantly increase defense spending, arguing that Moscow is not interested in a political settlement.

“I see no desire for peace in Russian President Vladimir Putin – neither in his rhetoric nor in his actions. His initial reaction to the new proposals shows no sign of willingness to compromise,” he said, adding that Germany will increase its military support to Ukraine.

The minister said Germany supports a just, reliable, and lasting peace in Ukraine. However, he stressed that Ukraine must not be forced into unilateral territorial concessions in any peace process. Ukraine must maintain strong armed forces and receive reliable security guarantees, especially from the US, he added.

Pistorius criticized US President Donald Trump's initial 28-point plan for Ukraine, which was revized after talks between US, Ukrainian, and European delegations in Geneva on Sunday. "Nothing concerning the future of European states, NATO, or the European Union should be negotiated or decided over our heads," he said.

The Social Democrat politician said the latest developments have once again demonstrated the need for Europeans to step up their defense capabilities and assume more responsibility for their own security and defense.

"The geopolitical chessboard is changing rapidly. Its patterns, its arrangements, and alliances are shifting faster than would have been conceivable before," Pistorius said.

"We must redefine our role in the coming years, because we don't know which alliances we can still rely on in the future or how long they will last," he continued.

"We Europeans must do more for our conventional deterrence and defense—with the clear goal that NATO must become more European so that it can remain transatlantic."