This new support plan includes the delivery of numerous tanks, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft systems.
By Le Figaro with AFP
Published 5/13/2023 at 10:59 AM, updated 5/13/2023 at 12:24 PM
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Ukrainian soldiers trained in maintenance of a Leopard tank at the German military base in Klietz on May 5. NADJA WOHLLEBEN / Portal
The federal government announced on Saturday, May 13, that it is preparing a new military aid plan for Ukraine worth 2.7 billion euros, which will include the delivery of numerous tanks, armored vehicles and anti-aircraft systems. “We all want a quick end to this cruel war of Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately it is not in sight. “Therefore, Germany will provide all possible assistance for as long as necessary,” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a statement.
The deliveries in preparation include, in particular, 30 more Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 new Marder armored vehicles and more than a hundred other smaller armored vehicles, 200 surveillance drones, 4 new Iris T air defense systems and their launch platforms, numerous missiles for Anti-aircraft, 18 howitzer guns and ammunition.
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timidity of his military support
According to the weekly Der Spiegel, this is the largest arms delivery package from Berlin to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion. This announcement comes on the eve of a possible visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Germany. According to German media leaks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected in Rome on Saturday, could then travel to Germany on Sunday to meet the country’s leaders and receive the European Charlemagne Prize there. This visit has not yet been officially confirmed by Berlin.
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Germany has long been criticized by Kiev and some of its European partners, particularly in the east, for its timid military support to Ukraine. But for several months, Berlin has been intensifying its efforts in this area. Last year, the government released EUR 2 billion for military support in Kiev. A volume of 2.2 billion was planned for this year so far, the content of which has not yet been decided. In particular, Berlin has already pledged 14 Leopard-2 A6s from its Bundeswehr stocks, which are more powerful than the Leopard-1s mentioned in the new aid plan. She began training Ukrainian soldiers in these tanks.
“Russia is doomed”
The new German military aid plan “damn” that Russia “loses”, welcomed Mykhaïlo Podoliak, adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, after the announcement from Berlin. This aid “shows directly that (…) Russia is doomed to fail,” he said on Twitter, and was pleased about the “demonstrative” support of Western allies for Ukraine after almost 15 months of war.