The former German defense minister’s comments come as Europe moves toward a greater military and political independence from the United States.
Germany’s former defense minister, Volker Rühe, criticized the current state of Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, calling it “weaker than ever before.” Rühe called for a massive increase of troops and armament, saying that other nations should rely on Germany, according to a report by Junge Freiheit.
According to the 1990 Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany — also known as “Two plus Four” — signed by the two Germanies, as well as the Soviet Union, France, the UK and the US, Berlin is permitted to have up to 370,000 troops.
Rühe reiterated his long-standing position that Germany must not tolerate nuclear missiles deployed on its soil — something that German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen did not rule out during a recent NATO meeting in Brussels.