New German Defence Minister says he will strengthen army, help Ukraine

New German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius receives his certificate of appointment from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, during a ceremony at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, January 19, 2023. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's new defence minister said on Thursday it was his task to strengthen the armed forces so that they could do their job at a time of conflict in Europe with Russia waging war against Ukraine.

Boris Pistorius was officially made minister on Thursday at a time when Germany is under pressure from Western allies to allow German-made battle tanks to be used in Ukraine to strengthen its defence against the Russian invasion.