Russia-Ukraine war: German Chancellor receives criticism for ‘brutal’ decision with Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was accused of blocking the delivery of tanks and helicopters to Ukraine and crossed out two-thirds of the items on the list of weapons Kiev wanted.

Even as Germany’s allies such as the US, UK, Czech Republic and the Netherlands increase their arms deliveries to Ukraine, Germany is accused of outright refusing to send heavy weapons to Ukraine.

Explaining the refusal to transfer tanks and helicopters to Ukraine despite pleas from Kiev, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz stressed that not only Germany opposes the export of such weapons to Ukraine but also its allies. Berlin’s inner circle did the same.

According to Scholz, Germany’s closest allies have also concluded that supplying such weapons to Ukraine at the present time makes no sense.

“Look at what our close allies are doing. They and their military have reached the same conclusions with us,” Scholz said.

However, some politicians from Mr Scholz’s Social Democrats, as well as the German leader’s Greens and liberal coalition partners have called on him to rethink the transfer of heavy weapons. for Ukraine.

Green MP Anton Hofreiter, who visited Kiev last week, stated that Germany must ultimately “give Ukraine what it needs, and that is heavy weapons”.

Mr Hofreiter bluntly lashed out at Mr Scholz, saying that “the problem is with the Prime Minister”.

When Russia first began attacking Ukraine, Mr. Scholz refused to supply any weapons to Ukraine, echoing Berlin’s longstanding ban on lethal weapons exports to conflict zones.

But then, under pressure from allies and within Germany, Mr. Scholz changed his mind, agreeing to supply Kiev with hundreds of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. Germany has also shipped machine guns, night vision goggles, protective equipment and some vehicles to Ukraine. Mr. Scholz has also significantly increased financial aid to Kiev.

In addition, Scholz said, the government has asked the German arms industry to specify what types of weapons it can supply Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Germany’s move comes in the context that some EU countries are going further in supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced earlier this week that his country would send heavy weapons, including armored vehicles, to Ukraine to meet Kiev’s needs after a phone call with President Zelensky.

The heads of NATO and the European Commission have also urged member states to speed up and expand arms supplies to Ukraine.