Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank guns and 500 Stinger missiles to Ukraine to the country’s besieged army opposed to the Russian invasion, German Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz said on Saturday, breaking with the country’s long-standing policy of not allowing lethal German-made weapons to be sent to clash. Areas
Scholz wrote in a tweet that “the Russian invasion marks a turning point. It is our duty to Ukraine to protect ourselves against Putin’s invading army. “
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Scholz’s announcement, telling the German chancellor on Twitter to “continue like this” and calling it an “anti-war coalition in action. “
Germany will also lift its ban on other countries shipping German-made weapons, a reversal of its previous policy, and allow the Netherlands to send 400 rocket launchers to Ukraine.
Dutch approval to send weapons to Ukraine, which was first reported through Politico, came under pressure from other EU countries and NATO allies who sent weapons, ammunition and other military aid to bolster Ukraine’s defenses as Russian forces approach major Ukrainian cities.
This update may lead to a backlog of arms transfers to Ukraine, as many European weapons are manufactured in part through Germany, giving the country legal transfers to third parties, Politico reports.
The German Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment from Forbes.
Germany’s long-standing policy of blocking arms movements to conflict zones, which has its roots in the preference to compensate for the destruction caused in the country during World War II, has sparked complaints from Ukraine and some EU countries. Last month, Germany denied Estonia permission to move German-made artillery into Ukraine. Estonia bought the weapons from Finland, but Germany also had something to say because it sold the weapons to Finland. In response, Germany offered to donate 5,000 helmets and a cash hospital to Ukraine, sparking outrage from other EU countries. The country, and Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko, called the offer a “joke. “locate other tactics to make peace on the continent true.
Germany is running to locate “specific and functional” tactics to remove Russia from the SWIFT banking system, Bloomberg reports. Germany and the United States first opposed cutting Moscow out of the system, CNN reports that President Joe Biden is “seriously evaluating” whether he deserves to help Russia’s withdrawal.
The United States also stepped up its military assistance Friday night, authorizing up to $350 million in additional aid for Ukraine’s defense. The United States has committed more than a billion dollars in security assistance over the past year, according to a State Department statement. The Netherlands said it would send two hundred air defense rockets to Ukraine, and Belgium announced it would supply Ukraine with 2,000 cannons and thousands of tons of fuel.
Germany approves weapons for Ukraine in first update in the army (Politician)
Live: Russia sent more than 50 of the invading force to Ukraine, but was thwarted through fierce resistance, according to the United States (Forbes)
Germany supplies arms to Ukraine due to World War II beyond (Reuters)