LBC: German caller admits country's failure in dealing with Russia
Donald Tusk, former President of the European Council, urged Germans yesterday (Wednesday) to back further shipments of military equipment, after the German Government was criticised for its slow and meagre response. His comments came ahead of the German coalition Government’s announcement that it would not send more weapons to Ukraine over fears it would not be able to defend itself.
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When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine nearly two months ago, Germany’s reaction was one of the most sluggish of Western nations.
While the UK, US and other allies were quick to respond with packages of economic and political sanctions as well as military aid for Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has faced continuing criticism over his Government’s response.
The German Chancellor has faced discontent from his own cabinet, with a young coalition Government already showing cracks over the international crisis.
On Tuesday, Mr Scholz said that, though the Government was unable to send the requested equipment, it would “provide the necessary money” for German anti-tank and air defence weapons to be manufactured for Ukraine.
READ MORE: Olaf Scholz won't send any more German weapons to Ukraine
Yesterday, German newspaper Bild claimed that the “industry list” created with the Ukrainian Government of military equipment requests had been “consolidated” by Mr Scholz to exclude essential items.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the chair of the Bundestag’s defence committee, responded that Germany was “still lagging behind” other nations on weapons deliveries.
Tweeting ahead of the vote, Mr Tusk said: “The Germans must firmly support Ukraine today if we are to believe that they have drawn conclusions from their own history.”
Markus Laubenthal, Germany’s deputy chief of staff, supported Mr Scholz in resisting calls for further military aid.
He claimed that if the German Government handed over a hundred Marder light tanks to Ukraine, it would limit Germany’s own defensive capabilities.