German army opposes arming Ukraine
After Germany pledged a few days ago to provide more than one billion dollars in military aid to Ukraine, in order to confront the Russian military operation, which has entered its 56th day, the response came from the army.
A senior German military official rejected the idea of delivering arms to Ukraine.
It’s not an easy matter
The Deputy Inspector General of the Armed Forces, Markus Laupenthal, said in statements to Channel Two on German TV today, Wednesday, that this step may affect the country’s military readiness, in terms of the country’s commitments with NATO, with about 13,000 German soldiers currently, and 16,000 next year.
He also stressed that the transfer of heavy weapons to Ukraine is not an easy matter.
wave of criticism
These statements came as the country is experiencing a wave of criticism against German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the last period, accusing him of hesitation and negligence in arming the Ukrainian forces.
Some of the arrows of these criticisms came from the Ukrainian ambassador to the country, who criticized Schulz’s reluctance to commit to handing over heavy weapons to the Ukrainian forces, such as tanks and others.
We don’t reveal all questions.
In the face of this wave of criticism that has been going on for weeks, German Foreign Minister Annallina Birbock confirmed earlier today that Berlin does not disclose all the weapons it sends to Ukraine in support of it in the face of Russia.
She also added that her country would help Kyiv maintain more advanced weapons systems that it might buy and train soldiers to use.
“Berlin has delivered anti-tank missiles, Stinger missiles and other weapons that it has never mentioned publicly, so that these shipments can proceed quickly,” she said at a press conference in Riga with her counterpart, the Latvian Foreign Minister.
When asked whether Germany would send Panzerhausen 2000 artillery systems, which some experts say Ukraine needs to launch counterattacks against Russian forces in the Donbass region, the minister said her country would train Ukrainian soldiers to use and maintain more advanced systems that it might get from allied countries. other or buy it.
increasing pressure
It is noteworthy that the German chancellor is facing increasing pressure at home to send heavy weapons to the Ukrainian forces.
So far, Berlin has contented itself with sending only anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles, ammunition and defensive weapons to Ukraine.
It is noteworthy that since the launch of the Russian military operation on Ukrainian soil on February 24, most European countries have lined up with Kyiv, supporting it with weapons and equipment, in a move that Moscow sharply criticized, accusing the West of seeking to prolong the conflict.
But the government has pledged more than 1 billion euros in financial aid so Kyiv can buy the weapons it needs to fight.
