War in Ukraine:

Russian Disinformation

Impasse Over Territory

Putin’s War Budget

How Europe Changed

Evolving Aerial Tactics

Why Russia Invaded

German Defense Chief Chides Trump Over Strategy Toward Putin

Boris Pistorius speaks during a news conference on Feb. 20. — Boris Pistorius speaks during a news conference on Feb. 20.Photographer: Wojtek Radwanski/AFP/Getty Images

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By Michael Nienaber

February 24, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized US President Donald Trump over his strategy toward Vladimir Putin and the Russian leader’s war on Ukraine.

Speaking on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of its western neighbor, Pistorius suggested Trump had negatively impacted efforts to halt the fighting by sending the wrong signals.