"We should deal not only with war but also with ways to end wars," Mutzenich told the RND joint newsroom, adding "Security policy is more than military policy... We should not use such language about the need to prepare Germany for war; rather, we should be able to defend ourselves."
Mutzenich did not make any strongly-worded comments about Pistorius' other contentious statement, in which he said he was considering reintroducing mandatory conscription and canceling it was a mistake. The lawmaker argued that the government's primary goals in this regard should be making the army more attractive, equipping it better and repairing military barracks.
On December 16, Pistorius said that Europe was preparing to compensate for the aid Kiev is no longer receiving from the United States, adding that in this scenario, EU countries have five to eight years to restore their defense capacity.