After Scholz's hesitation: West wants to deliver weapons to Ukraine
Created: 2022-04-20 07:59
By: Andreas Schmid
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) with US President Joe Biden at the meeting of the G7 states at NATO headquarters.
The West is discussing more military aid to Ukraine.
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
Ukraine is demanding more weapons, the West initially hesitated - especially Chancellor Scholz.
Now there is probably more military aid.
All information in the news ticker.
Ukraine News
: Chancellor Olaf Scholz * initially does not want to deliver heavy weapons directly to Ukraine *.
G7 and Nato * but probably put together a military aid package.
This
news ticker on the diplomatic developments in the Ukraine war
* is continuously updated
Kyiv - Russia has apparently started its major offensive in eastern Ukraine.
A “new phase” of the war is now beginning, the Kremlin said on Wednesday night (April 20, 2022).
The Russian Defense Ministry called on Ukraine to surrender "immediately".
While the situation around the Donbass border region is tense, Ukraine is demanding further help from the West.
Probably with success.
From now on there will be more economic pressure on Russia *, it said after consultations with the heads of state and government of the G7 and the Eastern European NATO partners.
"We will continue to tighten our sanctions against Russia and increase our financial and security aid to Ukraine," wrote European Commission President* Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg spoke of “even higher costs” for Moscow*.
Ukraine news: Scholz hesitates - Selenskyj puts pressure on him
When it comes to military aid, some of those involved seem to be hesitant, at least publicly.
Above all Germany.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to finance arms deliveries from German industry in the escalating Ukraine conflict*.
However, the SPD politician rejects a direct delivery of German tanks to the country*.
Instead, the Chancellor emphasized the close coordination between Germany and its allies.
"German solo efforts would be wrong," he said.
Meanwhile, several other countries have pledged arms supplies to Ukraine.
Canada wants to send more heavy artillery weapons to Ukraine.
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the "delivery of additional heavier material".
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj* is not enough.
"If we had access to all the weapons that we need that our partners have and that are comparable to the weapons of the Russian Federation, we would have already ended this war," he said on Tuesday (04/19/2022).
It is a "moral obligation" for countries that have these weapons to make them available.
This could save thousands of Ukrainian lives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a video message.
© Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP/dpa
Ukraine-News: USA apparently wants to further increase military aid
The USA* are also preparing another military aid package for Ukraine, apparently with a volume of 800 million dollars (741 million euros).
According to NBC News, the new supplies of aid are expected to include artillery and tens of thousands of shells.
US President Joe Biden* announced that he would soon be announcing details.
According to US information, Ukraine has already received fighter jets.
Ukraine now has "more fighter jets than two weeks ago," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
"They received additional aircraft and aircraft parts." However, Kirby did not provide any further information on their origin or design.
The first US deliveries from a previous $800 million military aid package arrived at the Ukrainian border on Sunday, the US Department of Defense said.
This aid package includes howitzers, helicopters and armored personnel carriers.
(as/AFP) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
