Germany says Ukrainians are making tremendous progress

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press
ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Ukraine is making “tremendous progress” in its war against Russia, while Moscow is facing weakness across several fronts.

Pistorius made the remarks during the second day of his visit to Ukraine, where he inspected military command centers in the country’s east. The German minister visited areas near Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro, observing how Ukrainian forces use unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance and how they counter Russian military systems.

Pistorius visited command centers in eastern Ukraine

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ visit to Ukraine included meetings and inspections at command centers close to key eastern regions. During the visit, he received information from Ukrainian military officials about battlefield conditions, drone reconnaissance and methods used against Russian systems.

Drones have become one of the most important tools of the war. They are used not only for strikes but also for intelligence gathering, battlefield monitoring, target identification and coordination of artillery fire.

Pistorius’ visit to command centers was also seen as a signal that Germany will continue to support Ukraine militarily and politically. Berlin has been one of Ukraine’s main European backers since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, providing air defense systems, armored vehicles, ammunition and other defense equipment.

“Ukrainians are making tremendous progress”

During his visit, Pistorius said he saw signs that Ukraine had reached an important stage in its fight against Russia.

“Russia is going through a period of weakness economically, domestically and on the battlefield. Ukrainians are making tremendous progress. Their attacks on Russian military infrastructure in the interior are effective,” Pistorius said.

His remarks suggest that Germany views Ukraine not only as defending itself but also as increasingly capable of putting pressure on Russian military infrastructure. Ukrainian attacks on military facilities, air bases, logistics routes and other targets inside Russian-controlled or Russian territory have become an important part of the wider war dynamic.

Russia is facing pressure, Pistorius says

Pistorius described Russia’s situation as one of weakness in three areas: the economy, domestic politics and the battlefield.

According to the German defense minister, sanctions, the cost of a long war, military losses and political pressure are narrowing Moscow’s room for maneuver. He said this may also explain why Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken about the possibility of the war ending quickly.

This assessment reflects a view increasingly discussed in Western capitals: although Russia still maintains significant military capacity, the prolonged war is imposing heavy costs on Moscow in manpower, technology, finances and political resilience.

Pistorius’ comments also suggested that Berlin sees a connection between Russia’s battlefield difficulties and the Kremlin’s recent messaging about the war’s possible end.

Ukrainian strikes seen as effective

The German minister said Ukraine’s attacks on Russian military infrastructure deep inside the country are having an impact.

His comments come as Ukraine continues to expand its use of long-range drones and other strike capabilities. Kyiv has targeted Russian logistics centers, fuel depots, air bases, ammunition facilities and defense-related infrastructure.

Such attacks are different from direct front-line combat. They are designed to disrupt Russia’s supply chains, reduce operational capacity and force Moscow to defend a wider area.

According to Pistorius, these developments indicate that Ukraine has significantly improved its warfighting capabilities. The widespread and flexible use of drone technology has become one of the defining features of the war.

A possible decisive stage

Pistorius said many observers now speak of a decisive stage in the war that could develop in Ukraine’s favor.

He noted that extremely pessimistic forecasts about Ukraine’s position are no longer shared as widely as before. This suggests a shift in how some Western officials assess Ukraine’s resilience and battlefield performance.

At different points in the war, debates in Europe and the United States focused on Ukraine’s ammunition shortages, manpower challenges, air defense needs and the risk of Russian advances. Pistorius’ remarks show that Germany now sees more positive signs in Ukraine’s ability to resist and pressure Russia.

However, the outcome of the war remains uncertain. Fighting continues along the front line, while Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukraine’s air defense needs and the continuity of Western support remain key factors.

Germany’s support remains strategically important

Germany is one of the most important European supporters of Ukraine. Berlin’s military aid has included air defense systems, armored vehicles, artillery ammunition and other defense capabilities.

Pistorius’ visit to Ukrainian command centers showed that Germany is monitoring battlefield needs closely rather than limiting its support to diplomatic statements.

For Ukraine, German assistance remains critical in maintaining long-term defense and counterstrike capacity. Continued support from Germany and other European states plays a major role not only militarily but also politically and economically.

The visit also reinforced Germany’s position that Ukraine’s defense is closely linked to European security. Berlin has repeatedly framed support for Kyiv as part of a broader effort to contain Russian aggression and protect the European security order.

Putin’s comments come under renewed scrutiny

Pistorius linked Putin’s remarks about a quick end to the war with what he described as Russia’s period of weakness.

The German minister’s interpretation shows how recent Kremlin messaging is being read in Western capitals. According to Pistorius, pressure inside Russia and on the battlefield may be pushing Moscow to send different signals.

On one side, Russia continues to emphasize its military strength and strategic capabilities. On the other, talk of ending the war quickly may suggest that the Kremlin is calculating the costs of continuing the conflict.

Pistorius’ comments indicate a more optimistic tone in Germany’s assessment of the war. At the same time, his message implies that Western support must continue if Ukraine’s progress is to be sustained.

The German defense minister’s visit underlined that the war is being shaped not only on the front line but also through technology, intelligence, logistics, domestic pressure and international backing. According to Pistorius, Ukraine’s recent performance shows that the most pessimistic predictions about the war are no longer as dominant as they once were.

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