"Not played with open cards": Merz criticizes slow arms deliveries
Created: 05/18/2022, 15:14
From: Julius Fastnacht
Friedrich Merz attacks the traffic light government because promised arms deliveries to Ukraine are a long time coming.
Berlin – Friedrich Merz (CDU) criticized the federal government in an RTL interview for deliberately delaying promised arms deliveries to Ukraine.
"They don't play with open cards here," the party leader told the television station.
"There are obviously delaying strategies in the federal government, at least one delaying tactic," he said.
Defense companies have publicly complained that an export license for tanks is still pending.
"There can be reasons not to say everything, but then the Chancellor should also express it," Merz said.
Its "swimming around the topics" is not appropriate to the matter.
Although the Bundestag had already jointly decided to equip Ukraine with heavy military equipment in the war against Russia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) continued to emphasize the risk of escalation.
"There is a risk of escalation if we don't help Ukraine," warned the CDU leader.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue his aggressive policy "if we don't stop him".
Ukraine conflict: Strack-Zimmermann calls for a central coordinator for arms deliveries
The chairwoman of the defense committee in the Bundestag, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), also commented on the subject.
According to the FAZ, she reiterated calls for a central coordinator for the delivery of heavy weapons from Germany to Ukraine.
He should bring important players from politics, business and the military to one table.
Friedrich Merz (CDU) sharply criticizes the federal government because, in his opinion, arms deliveries to Ukraine take too much time.
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
The fact that Ukraine has so far had to place its inquiries in different places "also led to unfortunate misunderstandings for which we cannot and do not want to take responsibility in this situation".
Because that is a factor for slowing down aid to the Eastern European country - permits, repairs and the purchase of spare parts and ammunition cost a lot of time.
Federal government: Weapons procurement should be accelerated
As the German Press Agency reports, the federal government is planning to remove hurdles to accelerate the procurement of weapons and equipment for the Bundeswehr.
To this end, public procurement law should be adapted and German security interests should be taken into account in a simplified manner.
As late as Wednesday (May 18), the Federal Cabinet is to discuss a key issues paper for a Bundeswehr Procurement Acceleration Act.
(afp/dpa/juf)