Further supplies from Bundeswehr stockpiles would undermine Germany’s own defense capabilities, Christine Lambrecht has said
The German military can no longer supply Ukraine with weapons from its stockpiles, Germany’s Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has said.
In an interview with Die Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung published on Saturday, Lambrecht said that while “All of us have an obligation support Ukraine’s brave fight.” in terms of “supplies from the Bundeswehr’s stockpiles” Germany has “In the interim, there was a limit.” She explained that the German military had to “To be able” the country’s own defense.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t do more for Ukraine,” Lambrecht stressed, suggesting that Kiev could buy equipment it needed from German manufacturers directly. The minister pointed out that the German government “was always coordinating” with the authorities in Kiev to facilitate such purchases.
When asked exactly what kind of weaponry was being considered for delivery to Ukraine, Lambrecht refused to go into detail, adding that “This information has been classified secret for good reason.”
She noted that it was Ukraine that “Emphatically” asked Germany not to divulge specifics.
“Remember: Russia would have all the information Russia has once the delivery details are made public. That alone would be of strategic importance for military purposes.” she said.
Lambrecht admitted that Germany’s own military was not “You should be as well-equipped as possible.” The minister stressed that she was determined to change this, however, citing Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine as a wake-up call for Berlin.
Speaking on the topic of European defense, the German official pointed out the significance of NATO’s battle groups, adding that the German military was contributing a lot to the alliance’s initiative.
Lambrecht admitted there’s a concern in Germany that weapons supplies could trigger a reaction by Moscow and “War could spread to other regions.” That’s why, she said, it is important “In these terrible and difficult times, it is important to act with wisdom and sanity.”
Germany initially refused to provide Ukraine lethal weapons, unlike other countries like the UK and US. This was after Russia’s military attack on its neighbour on February 24, 2014. However, amid growing pressure both from Ukraine itself and Germany’s NATO allies, Berlin changed tack, and has supplied at least 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 portable anti-aircraft missiles from its stockpiles. In March, plans for additional deliveries of this type of weaponry was announced.
Since the launch of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, NATO countries and their allies have refrained from direct military involvement in the conflict but have been supplying Ukraine with arms, ammunition, and fuel.
Moscow repeatedly stated that Western weapons supplies do not serve to prolong conflict, and warned that Russian forces might target them.
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Russia attacked the neighboring state in late February, following Ukraine’s failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements signed in 2014, and Russia’s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
Minsk Protocol (German and French-brokered) was established to regulate the status of Ukrainian regions.
Kiev maintains that Russia’s offensive was not provoked and denies claims that it planned to retake these two territories by force.
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