IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
1091d ago / 6:39 PM UTC

Germany sends weapons to Ukraine after criticism

and

The German government said Saturday that it will send military assistance to Ukraine, a move that comes after the country was criticized for being slow to condemn the Russian invasion and for being reluctant to impose sanctions on Moscow.

Germany said it would send the Ukrainians 1,000 tank defense weapons and 500 ground-to-air, or "Stinger," missiles from its military stockpiles. The German government said the supplies would be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible. 

It is Germany's "duty" to support Ukraine against Moscow's attack, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement, adding the Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade "marks a turning point" that "threatens our entire post-war order."

Politico was first to report the shift in Berlin's stance on sending lethal weapons to conflict zones amid pressure from NATO and European Union allies.

In a tweet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Germany's move and asked Scholz to "keep it up."

"Anti-war coalition in action!" Zelenskyy tweeted.