"Absolute joke": Klitschko attacks the Scholz government - 500 helmets for Ukraine "failure to provide assistance"

Created: 01/26/2022, 21:18

By: Felix Durach

The mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, was upset and disappointed with the deliveries of protective helmets from Germany.

© Hennadii Minchenk/imago-images

Kiev's mayor Vitali Klitschko has described the announced deliveries of German safety helmets as a "joke" and has made serious allegations against the federal government.

Kiev - The mayor of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, has expressed his disappointment and stunned at the announced deliveries of 5,000 protective helmets from Germany as part of the Ukraine conflict.

Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) announced on Wednesday that she intended to deliver military equipment in the form of 5,000 protective helmets for soldiers in the crisis area in eastern Ukraine.

This would signal the federal government: "We stand by your side," Lambrecht said.

Klitschko speechless about German support in Ukraine conflict - "absolute joke"

A signal that has probably not arrived, especially in Kiev.

"The behavior of the German federal government just leaves me speechless," Vitali Klitschko told the

newspaper.

The former boxing world champion, who has been the mayor of the Ukrainian capital since 2014, has nothing but incomprehension for the behavior of the federal government.

"Apparently, the defense minister did not understand that we are dealing with a perfectly equipped Russian army that can start the further invasion of Ukraine at any time," the 50-year-old appealed to Lambrecht.

“5000 helmets is an absolute joke.

What does Germany want to send next in support?

Pillow?” Klitschko continued.

Ukraine conflict: Kiev's mayor Klitschko accuses the federal government of "failing to provide aid"

Already on Monday, the mayor of Kiev had sharply criticized the actions of the federal government in a guest article for the

newspaper.

The 50-year-old referred above all to the arms supply ban, as well as the adherence to the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will,” Klitschko wrote.

Members of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train in a city park in Kiev.

© Efrem Lukatsky/dpa

Department of Defense delivers 5000 hard hats - "drop in the bucket"

The Ukrainian Ambassador in Berlin Andriy Melnyk had previously spoken of warships and air defense systems as support for Ukraine.

In addition, he had demanded 100,000 protective helmets and protective vests for volunteers.

Although Melnyk welcomed the promised delivery of five percent of the required quantity on Wednesday, he described it as a "drop in the bucket." According to the Defense Ministry, Ukraine wrote on January 19 asking for help with equipment and helmets and protective vests mentioned as a need.

However, no specific quantities were requested.