Statement by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the US elections, upon returning from her trip to Ukraine on 6 November 2024

The Americans have cast their vote. Donald Trump has won the election. We congratulate him on this.

Germany, Europe and the United States are the closest of partners and allies.

Our transatlantic friendship has never been forged only with one political party.

At the same time, it is fundamental to democracy that, after an election, both domestic policy and foreign policy undergo readjustment.

Germany will remain a close and reliable ally for the next US administration, as well. That is the offer we are putting on the table.

And, as in any good partnership, where political differences certainly do exist, it is more important than ever to engage in an honest and above all intensive dialogue.

In the past few days, during my visit to Ukraine, I got a stronger sense than ever before of how much is at stake for Europeans and Americans when it comes to our common commitment to freedom, international law and democracy.

Ukraine is, now more than ever, defending our shared freedom. We continue to stand firmly by its side, for as long as it takes. To stand for a just and lasting peace in Europe.

This peace can only be accomplished together with the Ukrainians, the Europeans and the United States.

For me, and for us, it is clear that we Europeans must now assume even greater responsibility for security.

Today, tomorrow and the day after that.

For us and for our children.

We stand ready to do so.

This German Government has already made significant security policy decisions in recent years.

We must now act, as we take on responsibility for security. Regarding investments in our European security, we must now think big and act big.

Moreover, we must free ourselves of the shackles we've put on, especially with respect to investing in the security of Germany and the EU. We must do this also to further strengthen the European pillar in NATO.

This is no replacement for the transatlantic partnership. It is an investment in our shared transatlantic partnership.

In these turbulent geopolitical times, we must more than ever act in concert - on both sides of the Atlantic - so as to stand up for our freedom, our prosperity and our way of life.

To jointly meet the challenges of global systemic competition, which is steadily growing.

Our partners can rely on Germany for this.

Our partners in the US, our partners in Europe and our partners in Ukraine.

It is the responsibility of this German Government to keep working on this - especially at this point in time.

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