Germany To Send Anti-Tank Weapons, Missiles To Ukraine In Policy Reversal

Berlin: Germany on Saturday dramatically ramped up its backing for Ukraine's battle against Russia, approving weapons deliveries for Kyiv in a policy U-turn and agreeing to limit Moscow's access to the SWIFT interbank system. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point in history. It threatens our entire post-war order," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz as his government approved the delivery of a huge batch of lethal weapons to Ukraine. "In this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against Vladimir Putin's invading army," said Scholz, stressing that Germany "stands closely by Ukraine's side". In a shift from its longstanding policy of banning weapons exports to conflict zones, Berlin is opening up its Bundeswehr store, pledging to transfer 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" class surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine. It also finally approved the deliveries of 400 anti-tank rocket launchers via the Netherlands to Ukraine on Saturday. The anti-tank launchers had been purchased by the Netherlands from Berlin, and the Hague had therefore required Germany's green light to hand them to Kyiv. Likewise, a weeks-long request from Estonia for the transfer to Ukraine of eight old Howitzers purchased from ex-communist East Germany won approval. Besides the weapons, 14 armoured vehicles will be handed over to Ukraine, and "will serve for the protection of personnel, possibly for evacuation purposes", said a government source. Up to 10,000 tonnes of fuel will also be sent through Poland to Ukraine, said the source, adding that other "possible support services is now being examined". Fighting for 'our freedom' Kyiv has for weeks been pleading with Germany to send armaments to help face down an invasion by Russia. Ukraine's wish list, seen by AFP, included mid-range anti-aircraft rocket systems, anti-drone rifles, microwave destruction systems and munitions.

Berlin: Germany on Saturday dramatically ramped up its backing for Ukraine's battle against Russia, approving weapons deliveries for Kyiv in a policy U-turn and agreeing to limit Moscow's access to the SWIFT interbank system. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point in history. It threatens our entire post-war order," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz as his government approved the delivery of a huge batch of lethal weapons to Ukraine. "In this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against Vladimir Putin's invading army," said Scholz, stressing that Germany "stands closely by Ukraine's side". In a shift from its longstanding policy of banning weapons exports to conflict zones, Berlin is opening up its Bundeswehr store, pledging to transfer 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" class surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine. It also finally approved the deliveries of 400 anti-tank rocket launchers via the Netherlands to Ukraine on Saturday. The anti-tank launchers had been purchased by the Netherlands from Berlin, and the Hague had therefore required Germany's green light to hand them to Kyiv. Likewise, a weeks-long request from Estonia for the transfer to Ukraine of eight old Howitzers purchased from ex-communist East Germany won approval. Besides the weapons, 14 armoured vehicles will be handed over to Ukraine, and "will serve for the protection of personnel, possibly for evacuation purposes", said a government source. Up to 10,000 tonnes of fuel will also be sent through Poland to Ukraine, said the source, adding that other "possible support services is now being examined". Fighting for 'our freedom' Kyiv has for weeks been pleading with Germany to send armaments to help face down an invasion by Russia. Ukraine's wish list, seen by AFP, included mid-range anti-aircraft rocket systems, anti-drone rifles, microwave destruction systems and munitions.

Berlin: Germany on Saturday dramatically ramped up its backing for Ukraine's battle against Russia, approving weapons deliveries for Kyiv in a policy U-turn and agreeing to limit Moscow's access to the SWIFT interbank system. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point in history. It threatens our entire post-war order," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz as his government approved the delivery of a huge batch of lethal weapons to Ukraine. "In this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against Vladimir Putin's invading army," said Scholz, stressing that Germany "stands closely by Ukraine's side". In a shift from its longstanding policy of banning weapons exports to conflict zones, Berlin is opening up its Bundeswehr store, pledging to transfer 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" class surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine. It also finally approved the deliveries of 400 anti-tank rocket launchers via the Netherlands to Ukraine on Saturday. The anti-tank launchers had been purchased by the Netherlands from Berlin, and the Hague had therefore required Germany's green light to hand them to Kyiv. Likewise, a weeks-long request from Estonia for the transfer to Ukraine of eight old Howitzers purchased from ex-communist East Germany won approval. Besides the weapons, 14 armoured vehicles will be handed over to Ukraine, and "will serve for the protection of personnel, possibly for evacuation purposes", said a government source. Up to 10,000 tonnes of fuel will also be sent through Poland to Ukraine, said the source, adding that other "possible support services is now being examined". Fighting for 'our freedom' Kyiv has for weeks been pleading with Germany to send armaments to help face down an invasion by Russia. Ukraine's wish list, seen by AFP, included mid-range anti-aircraft rocket systems, anti-drone rifles, microwave destruction systems and munitions.

Berlin: Germany on Saturday dramatically ramped up its backing for Ukraine's battle against Russia, approving weapons deliveries for Kyiv in a policy U-turn and agreeing to limit Moscow's access to the SWIFT interbank system. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point in history. It threatens our entire post-war order," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz as his government approved the delivery of a huge batch of lethal weapons to Ukraine. "In this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against Vladimir Putin's invading army," said Scholz, stressing that Germany "stands closely by Ukraine's side". In a shift from its longstanding policy of banning weapons exports to conflict zones, Berlin is opening up its Bundeswehr store, pledging to transfer 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" class surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine. It also finally approved the deliveries of 400 anti-tank rocket launchers via the Netherlands to Ukraine on Saturday. The anti-tank launchers had been purchased by the Netherlands from Berlin, and the Hague had therefore required Germany's green light to hand them to Kyiv. Likewise, a weeks-long request from Estonia for the transfer to Ukraine of eight old Howitzers purchased from ex-communist East Germany won approval. Besides the weapons, 14 armoured vehicles will be handed over to Ukraine, and "will serve for the protection of personnel, possibly for evacuation purposes", said a government source. Up to 10,000 tonnes of fuel will also be sent through Poland to Ukraine, said the source, adding that other "possible support services is now being examined". Fighting for 'our freedom' Kyiv has for weeks been pleading with Germany to send armaments to help face down an invasion by Russia. Ukraine's wish list, seen by AFP, included mid-range anti-aircraft rocket systems, anti-drone rifles, microwave destruction systems and munitions.