NATO not about ‘absolute obedience’ to US, German defense minister says
Germany’s Defense Minister **Boris Pistorius** has firmly rejected the idea that NATO members must blindly follow the United States, saying the alliance is built on cooperation—not obedience.
In response to criticism from the Trump administration, Pistorius stated that NATO decisions are made through mutual agreement among all member states. He stressed that no single country, including the US, has the authority to dictate policies to the rest of the alliance.
Speaking to German magazine **Der Spiegel**, Pistorius said that “obedience” is not part of NATO’s principles. According to him, the military alliance functions through consensus, where every member has a voice in major decisions related to security and defense.
His remarks come amid rising tensions between Washington and several European allies over defense responsibilities and military commitments. The Trump administration has repeatedly pushed European NATO members to increase defense spending and take on a larger share of the burden.
Pistorius acknowledged that disagreements with the US can sometimes involve harsh language, but said European countries remain focused on shared strategic interests. He also emphasized that Germany is increasing defense spending because it believes strengthening its military is essential for both national and regional security—not because of external pressure.
The German minister admitted that many European countries had failed to meet NATO defense spending targets in previous years, which weakened the alliance. However, he said those shortcomings are now being addressed, with European members investing more heavily in military readiness and collective defense.
His comments highlight growing debates inside NATO about leadership, independence, and burden-sharing, as member nations try to maintain unity while balancing national interests and evolving global security threats.