The United States has announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, while President Donald Trump has signaled he may not station Tomahawk missiles there. Critics say the moves could benefit Russia by weakening NATO's eastern flank.

In an in‑depth interview with DW, Germany's vice chief of defense Nicole Schilling rejects the idea that the US has become an unreliable partner, stressing that cooperation with Washington remains close. 

According to Schilling, Germany's new military strategy is based on a clear assessment of the current threat from Russia, focusing not only on long-term modernization but also on capabilities needed in the next five to 10 years.