German Defense Minister: 'Russia Has Destroyed a Massive Amount of Trust'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-german-defense-minister-on-russia-and-global-conflicts-a-974569.html
In an interview, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, 55, discusses her push to deepen the country's foreign involvement, the Ukraine crisis and progress made to date by Germany's military in Afghanistan.
German Defense Minister: 'Russia Has Destroyed a Massive Amount of Trust'
Interview Conducted by Christiane Hoffmann and Gordon Repinski
June 11, 2014 04:10 PM
SPIEGEL: Ms. von der Leyen, are there times when you would prefer to be foreign minister rather than the head of the Defense Ministry?
Von der Leyen: No. I like being defense minister.
SPIEGEL: Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has managed to take center stage in the Ukraine crisis, but the same hasn't been true of you. When you speak, people interpret it as warmongering.
Von der Leyen: That's in the nature of the office. It is of course clear that this crisis, caused by Russia, requires a diplomatic solution more than anything. At the same time, in light of Russia's military actions the defensive alliance must make clear that it is strong and united. Only those who are united and certain are in a good negotiating position.