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01/31/2026 January 31, 2026 US needs Europe, German defense minister says
Pistorius calls on Europe to stand firm toward US President Donald Trump [FILE: January 28, 2026] Image: Christian Mang/REUTERS
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius urged European governments to act more confidently toward the United States.
It would be a mistake "if we stared at the White House like a rabbit staring at a snake," Pistorius told the RND media group.
He added: "Then we would lose focus on what we need to do: Become more sovereign and independent."
US President Donald Trump relies on uncertainty and fear to achieve his goals, "but those who are afraid make the wrong decisions, so let's not allow ourselves to be intimidated," said the defense minister.
Pistorius was referring to European governments' resistance to Trump's renewed push to have the US take control of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark.
Europe's strategic importance to the US
He stressed that the US needs Europe just as much as the Europeans need the US, saying that Europe is of geostrategic and geoeconomic importance to Washington.
"Imagine if Europe were to become Russia's sphere of influence if [Russian President] Vladimir Putin succeeded in driving the Americans out of here or causing them to withdraw," Pistorius said.
Washington would be "sandwiched between Russia and China. That would certainly not be in the Americans' interest," he added.
quitaskingmetomakean on January 31st, 2026 at 14:15 UTC »
""Imagine if Europe were to become Russia's sphere of influence if [Russian President] Vladimir Putin succeeded in driving the Americans out of here or causing them to withdraw," Pistorius said.
Washington would be "sandwiched between Russia and China. That would certainly not be in the Americans' interest," he added."
So Europe wouldn't bother to stand up to Russia for its own sake? Without America there, it would just roll over and tuck its tail? No country should support a useless ally. Ask the Germans how it worked out supporting Austria-Hungary in WW1.
AdFeeling842 on January 31st, 2026 at 14:09 UTC »
america would collapse without all our europe tech like spotify and booking. com and our four aircraft carriers
donutloop on January 31st, 2026 at 13:07 UTC »
Submission statement
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the United States depends on Europe as much as Europe relies on the U.S., pushing back against claims that NATO is a one-sided arrangement. He stressed Europe’s strategic value and contributions to collective security, while also acknowledging the need for European countries to do more on defence. The remarks come amid renewed debate over burden-sharing and the future of the transatlantic alliance.