Europe must swiftly accelerate the development of its defense industry because, in the near future, the Union cannot rely on the USA to ensure its security," stated German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.

The minister stressed Brussels' recognition of the potential risks associated with the cessation of military aid supply to Ukraine by the US.

"We comprehend that at some point, we might need to compensate for certain resources that might no longer be supplied by Washington. There might be areas that we cannot immediately substitute," he remarked.

Pistorius highlighted that the US will reduce its commitment to Europe's defense, regardless of the presidency, redirecting focus to the Pacific region.

"This necessitates heightened European commitment to securing our continent. For instance, our defense industry requires time to enhance its capabilities. We have a window of approximately five to eight years to bridge the gap — both in our armed forces and across industry and society," Pistorius stated.

He reiterated concerns about Russia's substantial increase in defense production, emphasizing that Vladimir Putin's threats against the Baltic countries, Georgia, and Moldova "should be taken extremely seriously".

"This isn't mere saber-rattling. By the end of this decade, we might encounter significant threats. Nevertheless, we will be prepared for them by then," emphasized Pistorius.