Germany Announces A New Military Aid Package for Ukraine Worth 1.3 Billion Euros

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius attend a joint news conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 21, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich  

Politico.eu: German defense minister announces €1.3B weapons package during visit to Kyiv  

Germany said it will continue to stand with Ukraine, but still won’t provide Taurus missiles. 

KYIV — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday bearing a much-needed gift: more military aid for Ukraine. 

"I have the honor to announce a new package," Pistorius said during a press conference in Kyiv. It includes another four systems of IRIS-T medium-range missiles, 155-millimeter ammunition, and Panzer anti-tank defense mines, he clarified. 

"Altogether it is a package worth €1.3 billion euros, and I am quite sure this will help you and your fight against Russian aggression. We stand with Ukraine reliably," Pistorius said.  

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Update #1: Berlin Announces New Military Aid Package for Ukraine Worth 1.3 Billion Euros (Reuters)  

Update #2: Germany's defense minister is latest foreign official to visit Kyiv (ABC News/AP)  

WNU Editor: On the same day that Germany was making this announcement of aid to Ukraine, the German government came out with this announcement .... Germany freezes new spending as budget crisis deepens (Politico.eu). More here .... Germany freezes new spending commitments as budget woes deepen (Reuters).

German Chancellor Scholz Says Germany Won't Send Fighter Jets to Ukraine

 

BBC: German chancellor says he won't send fighter jets to Ukraine 

The German chancellor has ruled out sending fighter jets to Ukraine, just days after committing to supplying tanks. 

In an interview with a German newspaper, Olaf Scholz warned against a bidding war for weapons. 

But Ukraine has asked allied nations to create a "fighter jet coalition" to bolster their capabilities. 

The US said it would discuss the idea of supplying jets "very carefully" with Kyiv on Thursday. 

In an interview with Tagesspiegel, Mr Scholz said his focus was on the delivery of German-made Leopard 2 tanks. 

"The fact we've only just made a decision [on sending tanks] and the next debate is firing up in Germany, that just seems frivolous", he said.  

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WNU Editor: German Chancellor Scholz has said numerous times in the past year that Germany will not send to Ukraine certain weapons, but once put under pressure caved-in and sent it anyway. I predict the same will happen with fighter jets. 

German Chancellor Scholz Says Germany Won't Send Fighter Jets to Ukraine  

Scholz doubles down on refusal of fighter jets for Ukraine -- Politico.eu  

Germany Won't Send Fighter Jets to Ukraine, Says Scholz -- VOA/AFP  

Germany’s Scholz denounces ‘bidding war’ over jets for Ukraine -- Al Jazeera

Der Spiegel Says Germany Doesn’t Trust Ukraine President Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz © AFP / Sergei Supinsky 

 Spiegel Online: Why Has Germany Been So Slow to Deliver Weapons? 

Half of all Germans – not to mention numerous allied nations – believe the German chancellor could be doing more to help Ukraine. 

Why has Olaf Scholz's government been so hesitant? German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is exasperating. For months, the narrative has been that he would prefer not to deliver any weapons at all to Ukraine, and certainly not any heavy weaponry. The chancellor, according to the scuttlebutt, has had to be forced into every single concession and then he delays the deliveries. On Wednesday, Scholz had to listen in the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, as opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) lambasted him as a miserable friend to Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. Scholz, Merz said, may even be pursuing a "hidden agenda."  

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WNU Editor: The Ukraine ambassador in Germany has not helped the situation .... German FM Refuses to Meet Ukrainian Amb. to Berlin (SEE.News) 

 Der Spiegel Says Germany Doesn’t Trust Ukraine President Zelensky  

Der Spiegel reports Germany does not trust Zelensky -- MENAFN  

Germany doesn’t trust Zelensky – Der Spiegel — Analysis -- MASS News  

Germany doesn’t trust Zelensky – Der Spiegel -- RT

Pressure Grows On Germany To Send Heavy Weapons To Ukraine

 

The Guardian: German report casts doubt on scale of its weapons support for Ukraine 

Claims that only three of 15 types of arms requested now on official list likely to add fuel to diplomatic row 

The office of Germany’s chancellor crossed several heavy weapons off a wishlist of military hardware it has offered to buy from its armaments industry on behalf of the Ukrainian government, according to a report in German media that casts doubt over Olaf Scholz’s claim to have agreed the procurement process with Kyiv. At a press conference on Tuesday evening, Scholz said he had asked arms contractors to come up with a list of weapons systems it could swiftly deliver to boost Ukraine’s defensive effort after Germany’s military exhausted its own stocks. 

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Pressure Grows On Germany To Send Heavy Weapons To Ukraine  

Pressure grows on Germany’s Scholz to send heavy weapons to Ukraine -- Politico  

German government under increasing pressure over its stance on Ukraine -- Euronews  

Germany says open to sending Ukraine heavy weapons -- Reuters 

Germany plans workaround for arms deliveries to Ukraine -- DW  

Scholz's Ukraine Strategy No Longer Enough for Germany's Allies -- Bloomberg 

Explainer: Why is Germany not sending Ukraine heavy weapons? -- Reuters

Germany Halts Arms Shipments To Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made his statement after talks with European leaders and US President Joe Biden  

FOX News: Germany halts arms shipments to Ukraine, will provide training and maintenance instead 

Germany faces criticism at home and abroad for lackluster support to Ukraine Germany said it has maxed out its ability to send arms to Ukraine on Wednesday and instead pledged to provide training to Ukrainian forces and maintain its military equipment. 

"While other partners supply artillery, we will help with training and maintenance," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during a press conference.  

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Germany Defends Its Ukraine Policy  

Germany's Scholz tries to dodge criticism over Ukraine heavy weapons deliveries -- DW  

Germany to Provide Ukraine With Rockets, Training for Artillery -- Bloomberg  

German foreign minister defends delay in sending armoured vehicles to Ukraine -- The Guardian  

Germany has not disclosed all weapons sent Ukraine, minister says -- Reuters  

Discontent Grows in Berlin over Chancellor's Ukraine Response -- Spiegel Online

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Meets Ukraine President Vodolymyr Zelenskyy In Kyiv

Chancellor Scholz (r) is under pressure from the administration of President Zelenskyy over Berlin's refusal to arm Ukraine  

DW: Germany's Scholz holds crisis talks with Ukraine's Zelenskyy in Kyiv 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said Germany "stands close by" Ukraine's side amid fears of a Russian attack. However, his visit came amid questions over the real extent of Germany's support. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday stressed German support for Ukraine after meeting for several hours with the country's President Vodolymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. 

"Germany stands close by your side," Scholz said at a press conference after the sit down. 

"My country is impressed by the democratic movement in Ukraine and supports the European path it has taken since 2014," he added. 

Scholz has held firm on Germany's opposition to sending lethal weaponry to Ukraine amid a massive Russian troop buildup.  

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WNU Editor: Nothing new has come out of this meeting. 

 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Meets Ukraine President Vodolymyr Zelenskyy In Kyiv 

Ukraine’s territorial integrity ‘not negotiable’, says Olaf Scholz after Zelenskiy meeting – live updates -- The Guardian  

German Leader Vows Support for Ukraine, on Eve of Putin Meeting -- New York Times  

Russia using Nord Stream 2 as ‘geopolitical weapon’, Zelensky warns Germany’s Scholz -- France 24  

Scholz, Zelenskiy play down talk of NATO membership for Ukraine -- Politico  

German chancellor visits Ukraine as concerns of Russian invasion rise -- Axios  

German Leader in Ukraine as Fears of Russian Invasion Grow -- AP

German Foreign Minister Visits The Front Line In Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visits Shyrokyne in the Donetsk Region, Ukraine, February 8, 2022. Bernd von Jutrczenka/Pool via REUTERS  

DW: Germany's foreign minister visits front line in Ukraine 

Annalena Baerbock is getting a firsthand account of the humanitarian and military situation in eastern Ukraine. She is making the trip amid fears that Russia may invade its neighhor. 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited the front line of the conflict in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. The German foreign minister received a firsthand account of the humanitarian and military situation in the Donbas region. 

The Ukrainian government has been embroiled in an armed conflict with pro-Russia separatists since 2014. Baerbock, dressed in a protective helmet and vest, spoke with a Ukrainian general about the situation in the region. 

She was in the area for around 40 minutes, and no violence occurred during her visit, according to a reporter from the German dpa news agency.  

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Update: 'War in the middle of Europe': German foreign minister visits frontline in eastern Ukraine (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: The Ukraine government is making it clear that they are not happy with Germany's "lack of support" .... German Envoy Out in the Cold on Solidarity Mission to Ukraine (Bloomberg).

YouGov Poll Says Majority Of Germans Against Shipping Arms To Ukraine

Teller Report: Ukraine conflict: Majority of Germans against arms deliveries 

With its refusal to supply arms to Ukraine, the German government has a lot of popular support. Canada agrees to supply military equipment. Britain is considering moving troops to Eastern Europe, according to a report. 

A clear majority of Germans are against the delivery of German arms to Ukraine. 

In a survey by the polling institute YouGov, 59 percent of those questioned agreed with the federal government's position that it would not provide the country with weapons to defend against a possible attack by Russia. 

Only 20 percent were in favor of arms deliveries. 

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Update: Germans back Ukraine arms ban – poll (RT)  

WNU Editor: My gut tells me that the Germans are not the only ones who feel this way. That there are many Europeans who feel uncomfortable that they are getting drawn into this Russian - Ukraine conflict, and do not want to be a part of it.

Germany’s Offer To Ukraine Of 5,000 Helmets Is A ‘Joke’, Says Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko

Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko has branded Germany's latest offer of 5,000 helmets to Ukraine a 'joke'  

Daily Mail: Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko brands new German offer to send 5,000 HELMETS a 'joke' and asks 'What will they give us next? Pillows?' as the nation refuses to give Ukraine weapons 

* The ex-boxer said Germany's lack of support for Ukraine left him 'speechless' 

* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused to provide arms to the threatened nation 

* Germany has long maintained a policy of not sending weapons to conflict zones 

* But there is speculation that German reliance on Russian gas and the nation's chequered military past may have influenced Scholz decision to restrict aid 

* Top US diplomat warns Russia is likely to use military force by mid-February 

Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko has branded Germany's latest offer of 5,000 helmets to Ukraine a 'joke' in the latest swipe at Olaf Scholz's lack of support for the threatened country. 

The former boxer said he was left 'speechless' by Germany over their refusal to give substantial military aid and drop their support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline while Russian troops continue to amass on Ukraine's border. 

He told Bild: 'The behaviour of the German government leaves me speechless.  

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WNU Editor: This is why Germany is reluctant to send arms to Ukraine .... German Caution on Arms to Ukraine Rooted in History, Energy (AP). 

Germany’s Offer To Ukraine Of 5,000 Helmets Is A ‘Joke’, Says Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko  

Germany’s offer to Ukraine of 5,000 helmets is ‘joke’, says Vitali Klitschko -- The Guardian  

Ukraine mocks ‘joke’ German offer to send 5,000 helmets amid Russia invasion fears -- Times of Israel/AFP  

Kyiv's mayor decries Germany's offer of 5,000 helmets to Ukraine as a 'joke' and asks if 'pillows' are next -- Business Insider  

Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko pans German aid, ‘speechless’ at offer of helmets to Ukraine -- NYPost  

Germany has ‘betrayed’ Ukraine – Kiev mayor -- RT

Ukraine Slams Germany For Refusing To Supply Weapons. Says Germany 'Encouraging Putin'

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, left, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, right, attend talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. - Copyright Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Office via AP  

Daily Mail: Ukraine slams Germany for refusing to supply weapons to Kiev and summons German ambassador over comments made by naval chief calling Russian plans to invade 'inept' 

* Ukraine today urged Berlin to stop 'undermining unity' and 'encouraging Vladimir Putin' amid invasion fears 

* In separate development, foreign ministry also summoned German ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhusen 

* This was to stress 'categorical unacceptability' of comments by German naval chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach 

* In New Delhi, Mr Schoenbach called Russian plans to invade 'inept' and that Putin deserves 'respect' 

Ukraine today condemned Germany for its refusal to supply weapons to Kyiv, urging Berlin to stop 'undermining unity' and 'encouraging Vladimir Putin' amid fears of a Russian invasion. 

In a separate development, Ukraine's foreign ministry said Saturday it had also summoned the German ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhusen. 

This was to stress 'the categorical unacceptability' of comments by German naval chief Kay-Achim Schoenbach in which he called Russian plans to invade Ukraine 'inept', the foreign ministry said. 

Mr Schoenbach also said of Russia's president: 'It's easy to give him the respect he wants, and probably deserves as well.'  

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WNU Editor: Ukraine is not the only country questioning the reliability of Germany as an ally .... Is Germany a Reliable American Ally? Nein (WSJ). More here .... Ukraine and Our German Allies (Andrew Stuttaford, National Review), and here .... Germany’s pivot from America (Politico). 

Ukraine Slams Germany For Refusing To Supply Weapons  

Germany 'encouraging Putin' by refusing to supply weapons: Ukraine -- France 24  

Ukraine Says Germany 'Encouraging Putin' By Refusing To Supply Weapons -- RFE  

Ukraine accuses Germany of 'encouraging Putin' over refusal to send weapons to Kyiv -- Euronewws/AFP  

Ukrainian Diplomat Likens German Failure to Block Nord Stream 2 to Nazi Atrocities During WWII -- Sputnik

Germany Will Not Send Weapons To Ukraine

Unlike the US, UK and Poland, Germany has opposed exporting weapons directly to Ukraine  

Reuters: Germany will not supply weapons to Kyiv for now, defence minister says 

BERLIN, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Berlin is ruling out arms deliveries to Ukraine in the standoff with Russia for now, German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said in an interview published on Saturday, a few days after Britain started supplying Kyiv with anti-tank weapons. 

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators also promised weapons to Ukraine, which could include missiles, small arms and boats, to help the country defend itself from a potential invasion amid a Russian military build-up on its borders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, has stressed Berlin's policy of not supplying lethal weapons to conflict zones. 

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WNU Editor: Germany will only provide medical care .... Germany to provide medical help to Ukraine – but no weapons (Al Jazeera). 

As for providing military aid. Germany's defense budget to purchase military equipment is so small that it has problems buying parts for their own tanks and aircraft. How could they provide anything to Ukraine? 

Germany Will Not Send Weapons To Ukraine  

Germany Breaks With NATO Allies to Rebuff Ukraine's Pleas for Weapons -- Newsweek  

Germany rejects arms deliveries to Ukraine, but will send field hospital -- DW  

Germany holds its ground on denying weapons for Ukraine -- Defense News  

Germany blocks Estonian arms exports to Ukraine: report -- DW

Germany Makes It Difficult For NATO Allies To Transfer Weapons To Ukraine

As the Bundestag continues to oppose involvement, flightpath tracking data shows how British aircraft are avoiding German airspace en route to ferrying anti-armour weaponry to Ukraine  

Daily Mail: Ukraine pleads with Berlin to send warships and missiles to deter Russian invasion as Germany is accused of taking a 'soft stance' with Putin 

* Ukraine has renewed calls for Germany to supply weapons to deter Russian attack, calling for warships and anti-aircraft systems to be deployed 

* Ukrainian ambassador also attacked Berlin's justification for its soft stance - that it owes an 'historic debt' to Russia over Second World War atrocities 

* Andriy Melnyk pointed out that Nazi atrocities were also committed in Ukraine 

* Britain supplied anti-tank missiles to Kiev after avoiding German airspace 

Ukraine has begged Germany for weapons to deter an attack by Russia, stepping up pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz who has so-far resisted calls to provide military assistance despite warnings Putin is about to invade. 

Andriy Melnyk, Kiev's ambassador to Berlin, said on Wednesday that Ukraine wants German warships to help defend against Russian attacks on its coasts in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and anti-aircraft systems to prevent attacks from the air. 

It comes after Scholz, who has been accused of 'weakening' Europe and NATO's response to Russia with his soft stance, on Tuesday rejected the idea of supplying even defensive weapons to Kiev - citing a long-standing German policy. 

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WNU Editor: Germany needs energy from Russia. Or to put it bluntly .... they are dependent on it. They are not going to jeopardize this relationship .... Ukraine crisis highlights German dependence on Russian oil (FOX News)  

Update: This transportation detour is costly (see below):

Here's a time-lapse of all of the United Kingdom to #Ukraine weapons airlift flights from the morning of the 17th of January to this very minute on the 19th of January 2022. The UK has no intention of letting Ukraine fall. pic.twitter.com/p4DcNv25mt

— George Allison (@geoallison) January 19, 2022

Germany Makes It Difficult For NATO Allies To Transfer Weapons To Ukraine  

Germany blocks NATO ally Estonia from giving military support to Ukraine as it faces a possible Russian invasion: report -- Insider  

Germany Blocks NATO Ally From Transferring Weapons to Ukraine -- WSJ  

Germany Refuses Arms for Ukraine While Selling to the World -- Polygraph  

Germany holds its ground on denying weapons for Ukraine -- Defense News  

Germany Blocks NATO Partners From Supplying Its Weapons To Ukraine -- Zero Hedge  

Analysis: In Ukraine crisis, Germany faces tough decisions over gas pipeline -- Reuters  

Why Germany refuses weapons deliveries to Ukraine -- DW

Ukraine President Zelensky Blames Germany For ‘Blocking’ Nato Weapons Supply

FILE PHOTO. Servicemen attend the "RAPID TRIDENT-2021" military exercise at Ukraine's International Peacekeeping Security Centre in the Lviv region, Ukraine. © Reuters / Gleb Garanich  

New York Ledger/Financial Times: Ukraine blames Germany for ‘blocking’ Nato weapons supply 

Ukraine’s new defence minister has blamed Germany for blocking the supply of weaponry to Kyiv through Nato, despite US warnings of a possible imminent invasion by Russian forces. 

Oleksii Reznikov told the Financial Times that Berlin had in the last month vetoed Ukraine’s purchase of anti-drone rifles and anti-sniper systems via the Nato Support and Procurement Agency. 

However, Germany had since relented on the first item after deeming it non-lethal. 

 “They are still building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and at the same time blocking our defensive weapons. It is very unfair,” Reznikov said, referring to the Russian gas pipeline, which runs through the Baltic Sea to Germany and bypasses existing supply routes through Ukraine.  

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Update #1: Ukraine’s Zelensky accuses Germany of blocking NATO weapons supplies (Al Arabiya/AFP)   

Update #2: Ukraine Lashes Out At Germany For Blocking NATO Weapons Supply (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: Needless to say that Russian media is having a field day with these revelations .... German tabloid reveals who blocked NATO arms supplies to Ukraine (RT). More here .... 'Not Provoking Russia Doesn't Work': Ukraine MoD Whines Berlin Blocked NATO Lethal Weapons Supply (Sputnik).

Germany Is Considering Sending Troops To Eastern Ukraine

Germany is poised for its first deployment of troops in Ukraine amid the crumbling ceasefire between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian government. Pictured: Donetsk International Airport damaged during fighting

Germany Ponders Troops For Ukraine Monitor Mission -- Deutsche Welle

Germany is mulling the deployment of 200 soldiers to Ukraine to help and protect monitors overseeing a shaky truce in the east of the country. Despite the ceasefire, fighting has continued around Donetsk and Luhansk.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Berlin is considering deploying soldiers to monitor the ceasefire negotiated by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) between separatists and the army in eastern Ukraine, a German government source said on Saturday.

The source said on Saturday that the German armed forces were prepared to provide soldiers and equipment if political decisions were made to the effect that there should be an OSCE mission involving German troops.

The number of soldiers that would be sent is, however, not yet foreseeable and there is no clear operational concept as yet because that would depend on the security situation in Ukraine and conditions set by the OSCE, the source said.

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More News On Reports That Germany Is Considering Sending Troops To Eastern Ukraine

Germany Ponders Troops For Ukraine Monitor Mission -- Deutsche Welle
Germany considers sending troops to E. Ukraine – report -- RT
Germans set to send first troops to Ukraine since WW2 -- Daily Mail
Germany Mulls Sending Soldiers to Assist OSCE in Ukraine -- WSJ

My Comment: I know that Merkel's intentions are good .... but the last time German soldiers were in this part of Ukraine .... they .... with their Ukrainian nationalist allies .... massacred millions and utterly destroyed anything and everything. This is a bad idea .... to put it bluntly .... it will only inflamed tensions and will escalate the conflict. Send aid and unarmed observers .... yes. Armed German soldiers .... even in a peacekeeping role .... absolutely not.