“We Must Become Militarily Stronger… to Prevent War”

„Wir müssen militärisch stärker werden… um Krieg zu verhindern“

In his speech to the Bundestag on May 8, President reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to peace but explicitly defended the government’s plans to strengthen the armed forces. He stated that Germany, alongside its European partners, must do “whatever it takes” to stop Putin’s aggressive imperialism — and that includes military reinforcement: “We must become militarily stronger not to wage war, but to prevent it,” he said. In doing so, Steinmeier offered institutional backing to the rearmament policy framed as a “Zeitenwende.” This stance reflects growing consensus across governing parties: even traditionally pacifist opposition forces such as the Greens and Die Linke now recognize the need for a more capable Bundeswehr. On a practical level, Germany is intensifying joint exercises with allies — recently leading a major NATO air drill in Alaska simulating collective defense scenarios — and modernizing its arsenal. The new coalition has committed to enshrining the 2% of GDP NATO spending target into law, beyond the extraordinary fund. Steinmeier’s message — “arming for peace” — encapsulates the current paradox: after decades of cuts, Germany is investing massively in defense, framing it not as militarism but as a form of preventive security for itself and for Europe.