In a TV interview, Boris Pistorius defended Germany as Kyiv’s second-largest supporter after the US, highlighting the supply of artillery, Leopard tanks, IRIS-T, Patriot air defense systems, ammunition, vehicles, drones, and more. Despite a commitment to double military aid in 2024, Germany faces criticism for withholding Taurus missiles, unlike the UK and France, which have supplied similar long-range weapons.
“We deliver what we can. The same applies to almost all other allies and partners. But Germany is not an ally of Ukraine and therefore not in an alliance,” he told the broadcaster ZDG.
Germany is facing a challenge where the arms industry struggles to meet demands promptly in some areas, said Pistorius, noting efforts to boost capacity. He cited a six-month delay in restarting ammunition production for Leopard tanks. Pistorius criticized the EU’s pledge to produce one million 155 mm shells by spring, deeming it unfulfilled. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed the EU’s delay in November.
“You can assume that things will get better in the next few months,” Pistorius said, as Germany is set to deliver almost 200,000 rounds of ammunition. “But everything takes time, and it’s not a question of political decisions or financial resources.”
Concerns arise that as the war persists, Ukraine’s allies may hesitate to sustain weapon supplies. Pistorius, however, refuted the notion that the West is unwilling to see a complete Ukrainian victory on the battlefield.
“We should be more afraid that Russia will win this war,” he said because it would mean that Germany will face “a completely new security situation.”
In July, NATO said that Ukraine could join the alliance, of which Germany is a key part, although it has not specified when.
Read more:
- Biden: “Failure to support Ukraine is just absolutely crazy”
- Blinken: Denying aid to Ukraine risks unleashing Pandora’s box of aggression
- Not only Merkel and Schroeder: Germany’s Russia problem runs deep despite war in Ukraine
- Euractiv: US and Germany oppose fast-track NATO membership for Ukraine
- German Defense Minister promises to improve ammo production for Ukraine
