Germany is entering a period of "new unpredictability" in its relationship with the United States and must take on a stronger leadership role in European defense, Defence Minister Boris

Pistorius said on Wednesday.

Speaking in Berlin just hours after a coalition deal was struck between the conservatives, led by Friedrich Merz, and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), Pistorius emphasized the growing need for Germany to contribute more to Europe's security in light of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

"There is a new unpredictability in our transatlantic relations," said Pistorius, who is expected to retain his post in Merz’s upcoming government.

While the U.S. remains committed to NATO, Pistorius noted, it is increasingly calling for greater support from European allies. "We will rise to this challenge alongside our European partners and NATO allies," he said. "But it will require much more leadership from Germany moving forward."

Merz, who has previously criticized Donald Trump's America as an unreliable ally, has pledged to increase defense spending and back European businesses grappling with high costs and low demand amid current global instability. Photo by Daniel Biskup, Wikimedia commons.