BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The federal government has promised Ukraine further arms deliveries worth 2.7 billion euros ahead of a possible visit to Germany by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Among other things, 20 more Marder armored personnel carriers, 30 Leopard 1 tanks and 4 Iris-T SLM anti-aircraft systems are to be supplied by the German defense industry be provided, as the Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday in Berlin. In addition, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive 18 wheeled howitzers, ammunition for artillery and air defense systems, more than 100 armored combat vehicles and over 200 reconnaissance drones. Some weapon deliveries from the package have been planned for a long time.
Selenskyj may come to Germany this weekend to accept the Charlemagne Prize for services to European unity in Aachen and to visit Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in Berlin. He first arrived in Italy on Saturday to meet Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In a keynote address to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Scholz assured Ukraine of continued support for the defense against the Russian attackers. “Let’s remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine for as long as it takes,” he said.
Pistorius confirms: “As long as it takes”
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) confirmed this on Saturday when the new weapons package was announced. “With this valuable contribution of urgently needed military material, we are showing once again that Germany is serious about its support,” it said in a statement. Everyone wished for an early end to Russia’s terrible and illegal war against the Ukrainian people. “Unfortunately, this is not yet foreseeable. Therefore, Germany will provide all the help it can – as long as it takes.”
According to its own statements, the federal government has already approved weapons and military equipment worth 2.75 billion euros for Ukraine since the Russian attack on Ukraine. There is also other material that does not require approval. Pistorius said last Thursday during a visit to the troops that military aid totaled “just over four billion euros.”
Leopard 1 delivery approved as early as February
Now weapons and equipment worth another 2.7 billion euros are added. However, obviously not all commitments listed by the Department of Defense are brand new. A list published on the Internet by the Federal Government on April 26 of the planned deliveries of weapons already contains 18 wheeled howitzers, for example. 108 reconnaissance drones and 2 other Iris-T-SLM air defense systems are also on this list.
The federal government already approved the export of the Leopard 1A5 tanks in February. During a visit to Kiev, Pistorius announced the delivery of more than 100 copies from Germany and other countries by mid-2024. The Leopard 1 is the first main battle tank designed for the armed forces was built after World War II. 4700 examples were produced from 1965 to the mid-1980s. The Bundeswehr retired its last Leopard 1 20 years ago. Of the more modern Leopard 2A6 tanks, Ukraine received 18 from Germany at the end of March.
The Iris-T SLM air defense system is one of the most valuable military weapons that Germany has already supplied to Ukraine. So far, two examples of the system developed by the Diehl armaments company and other partners have been delivered, which can defend entire cities against attacks from the air.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba is stepping up the pace
Pistorius called his Ukrainian colleague Oleksiy Reznikov on Friday to discuss further arms deliveries. Resnikov then wrote on Twitter that the conversation had been fruitful. “I thanked Germany for its continued support of Ukraine and its commitment to cooperation.”
On Saturday, on the sidelines of a meeting with his EU colleagues in Sweden, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for the arms deliveries to be speeded up. Ukraine always needs everything as soon as possible, he said. It would be appreciated if everything was done to expedite deliveries.
German population divided on arms deliveries
The German population is divided on the issue of arms deliveries. In a survey by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency, 39 percent said that too many weapons and other armaments had already been delivered to Ukraine. 28 percent agree with the amount so far and 17 percent believe that Ukraine needs even more military support.
In the case of the currently controversial delivery of fighter jets of Western design, however, the rejection prevails. 49 percent are against, only 31 percent in favor. Ukraine wants American F16 aircraft, which the Bundeswehr doesn’t have. However, the Ukrainian government hopes that Germany, as one of the most powerful NATO countries, will support its demand. Scholz has so far rejected the delivery of Western-style fighter jets as not sensible./mfi/bk/DP/mis
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