kyiv can always count on Berlin’s solidarity. The German Defense Minister, visiting the Ukrainian capital, announced this Tuesday new military aid of 1.3 billion euros at a time when the West is trying to guarantee the sustainability of its support.
According to official Boris Pistorius, the aid includes four new Iris-T SLM air defense systems, scheduled for delivery in 2025, and artillery ammunition, which Ukraine urgently needs. Germany has already delivered three Iris-Ts to Ukraine and a fourth is planned this year. Four systems must also be delivered during 2024 and those promised on Tuesday by 2025.
No cruise missiles
The German minister, however, said nothing about the cruise missiles, requested for months by Ukraine to attack Russian positions, warehouses, command centers and supply lines far behind the front.
Germany, which fears they could be used to attack inside Russia, has been procrastinating for months, while Kiev insists that long-range weapons are key to forcing the Russian military to defeat the retreaters.
The German Defense Minister had already announced on November 12 the doubling, up to €8 billion, of military aid initially planned for 2024. Boris Pistorius arrived in Kiev on Tuesday on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the pro-revolutionary Western Maidan. Shortly after he was followed by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
100 million US dollars
Ukraine is striving to ensure the continuation of European and American aid, while voices are being raised in the West to demand a reduction in this support, after almost two years of intense war. Furthermore, with the international community focused on the war between Israel and Hamas, kyiv wants to prevent the support received so far from diminishing.
On Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in kyiv to assure Ukrainian leaders of Washington’s continued support and announced $100 million in new military aid to Ukraine. This aid comes from funds already approved by the US Congress, pending the vote on a new budget allocation for Ukraine requested by President Joe Biden, but which remains on hold due to opposition from Republican elected officials.
Source: BFM TV
