Germany must be brave and sign off on the transfer of lethal weapons to
Ukraine in the face of a Russian invasion. The request was expressed by the
Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andrey Melnik.
However, Germany continued to insist on not providing Ukraine with weapons
and ammunition.
Speaking to the German news portal, DPA, on Wednesday (26/1/2022), Andrey
Melnik renewed his call for the German government to send hardware to
Ukraine.
He noted that the shipment of 5,000 military helmets was welcomed by
Ukraine, but that it was not enough.
According to him, this is a "purely symbolic gesture" and just a "drop in
the ocean." On the other hand, according to him, Germany would be better off
sending weapons to counter Russian aggression.
"We don't need tactics and maneuvers, but bold actions that will ultimately
give Ukraine a German defensive weapon," Melnik stressed, arguing, "This is
what the people of our country need most now."
The envoy also said, "Kiev is waiting for Germany to make a 180-degree
change and a real paradigm shift." His remarks came after German Defense
Minister Christine Lambrecht announced Germany would not send any weapons to
Ukraine, but would send 5,000 protective helmets.
Mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko also scoffed at the move and accused,
“Lambrecht does not fully understand that Kiev is dealing with a perfectly
equipped Russian army that could start to invade further Ukraine at any
time.”
“5000 helmets is a complete joke. What will Germany send as further support?
Pillow?" he said.
Western leaders have sounded the alarm in recent weeks, claiming Moscow may
be planning to launch an invasion of its neighbour. However, the Kremlin has
repeatedly denied the allegations and accused NATO of fomenting tensions on
the continent.
Earlier in January, Melnik said Berlin had a moral responsibility for
Ukraine's future, and was therefore obliged to sell arms to Kiev so that it
could defend itself against Russian aggression. Otherwise, he warned, there
was a risk of "serious consequences for bilateral relations."
However, Germany has demonstrated its policy of not supplying weapons to
conflict zones, a long-standing decision by the previous government that was
also backed by a new coalition formed in December.
“In recent years, the German government has repeatedly decided not to supply
lethal weapons. There are reasons for this, which of course are also based
on all the developments of the last few years and decades," said German
Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
