Germany is now supplying weapons from the Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine.
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit announced on Saturday that the Ukrainian armed forces are being supported with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 “Stinger” surface-to-air missiles.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It threatens our entire post-war order,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “In this situation, it is our duty to do our best to help Ukraine defend itself against the invading army of Vladimir Putin. Germany stands close to Ukraine.”
The German government had previously approved arms deliveries to Ukraine for NATO partners the Netherlands and Estonia. In the case of the Netherlands, it is about 400 Panzerfausts made in Germany. In the case of Estonia, these are artillery pieces from GDR old stock, which, due to contractual agreements, require Germany’s approval before they can be passed on.
It is a change of course by Germany in the Ukraine crisis as a whole. So far, the federal government had refused to deliver lethal weapons to Ukraine because it is a crisis area.