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German lawmakers on Thursday voted to send “heavy weapons and complex machinery” to Ukraine, just a week after allegations that its weapons reserves had been tapped.
The vote in the lower house of parliament marks a complete change of stance after it was accepted with 586 votes in favour, 100 against and seven abstentions, the German news agency DW initially reported.
Members of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces examine new weapons, including NLAW anti-tank systems and other man-portable anti-tank grenade launchers, in Kyiv March 9, 2022 amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. (GENIA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images)
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Germany has been criticized for its reluctance to send significant defense support to Ukraine, with notoriously sending 5,000 Helms in the run-up to the invasion.
Just last week, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock claimed that the Berlin Bundeswehr had declared that it “can no longer supply weapons from its own stocks”.
The German leadership instead promised to provide training and spare parts for machines and to facilitate further arms supply with other allies.
But now Germany will try to send anti-aircraft systems and armored vehicles, as Russia not only wants to step up its offensive in Ukraine, but is also signaling that it could launch a campaign in neighboring Moldova.
German lawmakers also authorized the deployment of heavy weapons and soldiers to the NATO countries of the Eastern bloc.
Ukrainian soldiers ride on an armored fighting vehicle Tuesday as Russia’s assault on Ukraine continues at an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine. (Press service of the Ukrainian Ground Forces/Handout via REUTERS)
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Some lawmakers, including members of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, voted against the measure over fears it could be interpreted as a declaration of war by Russia.
Similarly, members of the Socialist Left Party reportedly referred to comments by Chancellor Olaf Scholz on concerns that increased NATO support could escalate the conflict and create a greater nuclear threat.
Thursday’s vote comes just two days after a summit at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany attended by 40 allied nations from NATO and beyond, where German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht agreed to send tanks to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin advocated a reversal of stance, saying he believes its heavy weapons “will bring real capabilities to Ukraine”.
Soldiers walk amidst destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP/Rodrigo Abd)
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He said he would not speculate on what else Germany could give Ukraine.
But the defense secretary added: “Based on everything I’ve seen in my interaction with the defense secretary and how intensely she has focused on making sure she can do whatever it takes to help and work with our partners and allies.” , that she will continue to look for ways to be relevant and bring good skills to Ukrainians as they continue this fight.