At the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Toledo, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba called for significantly more military aid. He criticized Germany for its reluctance to deliver cruise missiles.
Ukraine is asking Germany and the other EU countries for more arms and ammunition supplies for the fight against Russia. The Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, criticized Germany’s hesitant attitude towards the delivery of “Taurus” cruise missiles. These would help to end the war faster and are important for the counter-offensive. There is “not a single objective argument” against military aid. Kuleba said he was “constructively, politely and without pressure” calling on the German government to make a decision on the delivery.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said hesitantly: “It is our responsibility to keep reflecting on how we can coordinate our support for Ukraine even more efficiently and in a better coordinated way.” Regarding the high cost of the support, Baerbock said: “We have to keep reminding ourselves every day: we are investing in peace in Europe.”
Fears that the modern cruise missiles could also be fired from Ukraine at targets on Russian territory and that Russia could then retaliate are considered to be the reason why Germany has so far failed to decide on “Taurus” deliveries. It is therefore considered possible that they should be technically modified before they are released so that destinations in Russia cannot be approached with them.
Meeting with French government officials
In addition to the cruise missiles, Kuleba also demanded artillery ammunition, armored vehicles and tanks. He asked militarily neutral EU states such as Austria and Ireland to provide armored rescue vehicles. In addition, Kuleba demanded “the latest generation of combat aircraft”. This is not limited to US-made F-16 aircraft, Kuleba told the French newspaper Le Monde.
He also expressed interest in French “Rafale” fighter jets and machines from other countries. Kuleba met French government officials in Paris yesterday.
Kuleba demands export controls
In order to make it more difficult for Russia to produce missiles and drones, Kuleba also called on the EU states to step up their fight against circumventing sanctions. “We see that production is increasing and that western parts are being used,” he said at the EU meeting. This must be prevented, for example, with export controls.
More main battle tanks from Germany
Germany had made a further ten Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks available to Ukraine. A further 13.1 million rounds of handgun ammunition were also delivered. This emerges from the federal government’s list of military aid to Ukraine, which was updated every week on Wednesday.