Among other things, Kyiv is to receive three more air defense systems of this type.
(Photo: dpa)
Toronto Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has announced extensive further arms deliveries to Ukraine. A new package has been launched that includes state-of-the-art air defense systems, rocket launchers, ammunition and anti-drone devices, Scholz said on Tuesday at a conference on the situation in Crimea, to which he was connected from Canada.
A government spokesman said on request that Kyiv is to receive three more Iris-T air defense systems, a dozen armored recovery vehicles and 20 pick-up-mounted rocket launchers. Overall, according to the spokesman, armaments worth well over 500 million euros are involved.
The money still has to be released by the budget committee. The weapons are to be delivered “mainly in 2023”, “some significantly earlier”. According to the information, the package also includes precision ammunition. The government spokesman explained that it was the beginning of a sustainable modernization of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Some of the armaments mentioned – such as the 20 rocket launchers – have been appearing for a few days on a government list published on the Internet, which summarizes planned support services for Ukraine.
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Scholz promised Ukraine continued support in the war against Russia at the Crimea conference. “The international community will never accept Russia’s illegal, imperialist annexation of Ukrainian territory,” said the SPD politician.
Ukraine’s partners are united like never before. “I can assure you: Germany stands firmly by Ukraine’s side as long as Ukraine needs our support.”
During his visit to Canada, the Chancellor joined the Crimean conference via video.
(Photo: Reuters)
Scholz also said that Germany and its partners would maintain the sanctions against Russia, provide financial help, supply weapons and also take part in reconstruction.
“I am sure that Ukraine will overcome the dark shadow of war – because it is strong, courageous and united in its struggle for independence and sovereignty,” said the Chancellor. “And because she has friends in Europe and all over the world.”
With the Crimean Platform – an online summit – Ukraine wanted to mobilize international support for the repatriation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, for the second time.
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