Germany will support Ukraine with additional weapons and ammunition. It is not yet clear whether the cruise missiles requested by Ukraine will also be delivered.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine ahead of the Ramstein conference on Tuesday. O 400 million euro package should support Ukraine with additional weapons and ammunition.
Preparing for winter
“We have delivered additional ammunition: Explosive ammunition, mortar ammunition, mine rockets“, said the minister in an interview with the newspaper “Bild”. “Because ammunition is what Ukraine needs most in its defense against the brutal war of aggression.” Germany will also help with protected vehicles and mine clearance systems.
“But we are also keeping an eye on the coming winter,” added the minister. “We will send clothes, but also Electricity and heat generators.” In total, the package will have a value of 400 million euros.
Cruise missile delivery still unclear
Regarding Ukraine’s request for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, Pistorius said: “It has not yet been decided whether the federal government will send Taurus cruise missiles.” He continued: “It is the duty of the entire federal government… The delivery of weapons must be considered very carefully. A variety of political, legal, military and technical aspects need to be clarified.” This is “not easy.”
Open questions also include whether the Taurus missile can be used without support from Bundeswehr soldiers, Pistorius explained. In addition to deliveries More Ukrainian soldiers trained in Germanysaid Pistorius – there should be 10,000 by the end of the year. In Ramstein, it should be examined whether the Bundeswehr could provide more trained support.
Pistorius is not at the Ramstein meeting
As the newspaper “Bild” also reported, the minister received a letter on Monday night positive corona test result. That’s why he canceled his participation in the Ramstein meeting.
Ukraine’s contact group will meet on Tuesday at the US air base in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin invited counterparts and high-ranking military representatives from around the world to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the Ukrainian counteroffensive that has been ongoing since June. And that 13th meeting in Ramstein format since April 2022.