Ukraine is fighting growing war fatigue

Brussels, Riga International relations do not follow any fixed laws, and wars certainly do not. But conflict research has revealed this much: wars that last longer than a year are difficult to end and often rage on for many years to come.

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine will soon last 15 months, the Russian winter offensive has subsided, the Ukrainian armed forces are gathering for a counterattack. But a quick decision is unlikely.

That is the background to the expected visit to Germany by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday. Selenski will probably hold talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and is to be honored with the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen.

But far more important are the aid commitments that Selenski is to receive: On Saturday the federal government announced a new weapons package for Ukraine – the largest that Germany has ever had: 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, 30 Leopard 1 main battle tanks, 15 Gepard It will include anti-aircraft tanks, 200 reconnaissance drones, four additional Iris-T anti-aircraft systems, artillery shells and more than 200 armored combat and logistics vehicles.