(Deutsche Welle)
After the German government authorized the delivery of anti-tank missile launchers to Ukraine via the Netherlands, it is now also supplying it with weapons from German army stocks. This is a development that is a reversal of the policy it has pursued in recent years.
The German government announced on Saturday that it will supply Ukraine "as soon as possible" with 1,000 missile launchers and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles to help it cope with the Russian army's offensive.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote in a tweet on Twitter that "Russian aggression against Ukraine constitutes a turning point, it threatens the system that has existed since the post-war" Second World War, adding, "In this situation, it is our duty to help Ukraine , as much as we can, to defend itself." against Vladimir Putin's invading army.
The German government had authorized the delivery of 400 anti-tank missile launchers to Ukraine through the Netherlands, which is a reversal of a policy it has followed in recent years, which bans any export of lethal weapons in conflict areas, a government source told AFP on Saturday.
"Given the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, the German government is ready to agree to (delivery) equipment that Ukraine urgently needs to defend itself," the source said.
According to sources in the German government , the deliveries will take place through the Netherlands , which had received these bombers from Germany and is waiting for Berlin's approval to send them to Kiev.
So far, Germany has refused to export lethal weapons to Ukraine on principle because it is a crisis zone.
Germany faced criticism while Russia was preparing for the invasion, for refusing to deliver lethal weapons to the crisis zone and sending 5,000 helmets instead to Ukraine.
The German government has long defended the country's post-war policy banning the export of "lethal" equipment to conflict areas. However, this position has met with less acceptance at the political level since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the German Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection, 14 armored vehicles with outstanding protection were also approved for export to Ukraine on Saturday. The ministry added that the vehicles were used for personal protection and possibly evacuation purposes as well. These vehicles will be handed over to the Ukrainian authorities, according to the ministry.
In addition, up to 1,000 tons of fuel will be delivered to Ukraine via Poland, the ministry said. The ministry indicated that more support services are currently being examined.
"After the shameful Russian attack, Ukraine must be able to defend itself. It has a basic right to self-defense. That is why the German government is also supporting Ukraine in providing the required materials ," said Foreign Minister Annalina Berbukne and German Deputy Chancellor Robert Habeck (both from the Green Party) . Urgently".
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