“The German federal government has been pursuing a similar strategy on this issue for many years. And that also means that we don’t export lethal weapons,” said Scholz on Tuesday after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin. “That has not changed with the change of government that took place in December last year.”
Ukraine has been demanding arms deliveries from Germany for years in order to be able to defend itself against a possible Russian attack – so far without success. Lethal weapons mean deadly weapons such as machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades or warships or combat aircraft.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) had already rejected arms deliveries on Monday during her visit to Kiev. Great Britain announced on the same day that it would supply the former Soviet republic with light anti-tank weapons. British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said it was about improving Ukraine’s defense capabilities. “These are not strategic weapons and they do not pose a threat to Russia. They are intended to be used in self-defense,” he stressed.
Stoltenberg said in Berlin that allies were taking different approaches to the issue. It is important that Ukraine has the right to self-defense. NATO supports the country in protecting this right. Russia has sharply criticized arms deliveries to Ukraine.