After a video conference with his colleagues in partner states and the heads of NATO and the European Union, Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the question of deliveries of arms. Ukraine would receive heavy weapons, but not from the German army.
Berlin, April 20th, 2022 (The Berlin Spectator) — In coordination with its partners, Germany wanted to keep on supporting Ukraine militarily, Olaf Scholz said. The goal was to make sure Ukraine could fend off Russia’s attacks. He made clear the military support needed to be viable quickly and the deliveries had to take place very soon.
List of Weapons
But, according to Scholz, Germany is stretched to its limits because its ability to defend itself against a Russian attack needed to be guaranteed. This was why his government was cooperating with the German weapons industry and the Ukrainian government. A list [of needed and available weapons] was being worked on. The Federal Republic of Germany would pay for the items Ukraine chose, Olaf Scholz stated.
“We have asked the armament industry to tell us what kind of material it can deliver soon”, the Chancellor said. This was about anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft guns and ammunition as well as items that could be used against artillery attacks. Scholz said Ukraine had made choices and Germany was providing the needed funds. Berlin was also cooperating with partner countries who followed the same strategy.
Artillery from America
The Chancellor also made clear Germany was already delivering weapons to Ukraine which did have an effect. The systems Germany was providing could be used over big distances, including in the fighting that was taking place right now. Scholz was referring to the offensive the aggressor, Russia, just launched in eastern Ukraine. In addition, he hinted Germany would support the delivery of heavy artillery systems from the United States and the Netherlands to Ukraine.
Olaf Scholz said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had not expected the kind of unity there was against his war in Ukraine. NATO could not intervene. But the sanctions Europe had put in place were already showing an effect. For instance, the Russian economy was shrinking and the inflation was increasing substantially. Scholz stated this was a disaster for Russia. The next steps were in the works.
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‘No Dictated Peace’
Germany’s head of government condemned the war and the new phase which just commenced. There was a lot of sadness about the victims and anger against President Putin because of this pointless war, Scholz stated. He made clear there could be no dictated peace.
Olaf Scholz’ statements were criticized as not resolute enough. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, Andrey Melnyk said in his capital there was “a lot of disappointment and bitterness”. Ukraine did appreciate Germany’s readiness to provide financial means for weapons, but there were more questions than answers. It was not comprehensible that the Bundeswehr was not able to deliver weapons to Ukraine. Melnyk mentioned 400 infantry combat vehicles and 120 armored howitzers the German armed forces had.
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