German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated on Friday in his speech at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine's NATO membership should not be decided before peace negotiations even begin.

The minister warned that Europe and Kiev must play an active part in these talks and that Germany will continue to be "the largest supporter of Ukraine in the continent." He underscored that Russia must not emerge from this war as an even bigger threat, alluding that Moscow may breach any ceasefire deal if Ukraine and Europe do not stand in solidarity.

Pistorius assessed Washington's recent statements as proof that Europeans will have to contribute a "lion's share" to defense, saying that the leaders yesterday created a road map to burden shifting from the United States to Europe. "It is not about money, it is about capabilities," the minister concluded, promising more money to be poured into this sector.