Germany’s international minister says her nation’s support for Ukraine can be “massively expanded” subsequent yr
ByThe Related Press
November 13, 2023, 4:46 AM
FILE – A Ukrainian soldier is standing in entrance of a Marder infantry preventing car on the German forces Bundeswehr coaching space in Munster, Germany, on Feb. 20, 2023. Germany’s support for Ukraine can be “massively expanded” subsequent yr, the international minister mentioned Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 as Kyiv heads into its second winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Germany has change into one in every of Ukraine’s prime navy suppliers for the reason that struggle began in February 2022, sending materials that features tanks, armored personnel carriers, air protection methods and Patriot missile methods. (AP Picture/Gregor Fischer, File)
The Related Press
BERLIN — Germany’s support for Ukraine can be “massively expanded” subsequent yr, the international minister mentioned Monday as Kyiv heads into its second winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Germany has change into one in every of Ukraine’s prime navy suppliers for the reason that struggle began in February 2022, sending materials that features tanks, armored personnel carriers, air protection methods and Patriot missile methods.
International Minister Annalena Baerbock mentioned as she arrived Monday at a gathering with European Union counterparts that, whilst Europe grapples with the struggle between Israel and Hamas, it is nonetheless essential to “face the geopolitical problem right here.”
She mentioned that can embrace serving to Ukraine by means of the approaching winter months and “our help can be massively expanded for subsequent yr.”
Over the weekend, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition desires to extend Germany’s navy support for 2024 from the 4 billion euros initially deliberate to eight billion euros ($8.5 billion). It mentioned parliament’s price range committee might want to log off on the plan later this week.
Officers have not confirmed that. However, requested concerning the report in an interview Sunday with ARD tv, Protection Minister Boris Pistorius rejected the suggestion that it is resulting from fears the U.S. may scale back its help.
Pistorius mentioned that, based mostly on this yr’s experiences, the thought was to keep away from having to hunt extra funding if the cash out there is used up rapidly.
“Proper now, as Ukraine has to proceed its combat and on the similar time a part of public consideration worldwide is directed extra towards Israel, this can be a sturdy sign to Ukraine that we can’t go away it within the lurch,” he mentioned.
