Germany explains delays in providing Ukraine with Western weapons

Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German government, has said that the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine depends not so much on finances as on the availability of appropriate systems.

According to Ukrinform, Hebestreit noted that the question was not whether something would be delivered, but to what extent it was possible.

Hebestreit said that there were always limitations, but these were not due to whether Germany could finance it, but to the availability of weapons.

He stressed that Germany had managed to maintain a constant flow of weapons to Ukraine.

Hebestreit stated that Germany was constantly reviewing what else it could provide as military support to Ukraine and called on its partners to do the same. He also pointed out that another package of similar assistance was delivered two weeks ago.

The journalists said that when asked whether German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's attitude to the issue of providing Ukraine with German long-range weapons could change amid the escalation caused by Russia's involvement of the North Korean military in the war, Hebestreit answered with a firm "No."

Hebestreit explained that this would not have any impact on Scholz’s stance on the issue, as the German Chancellor has reiterated his position several times.

Hebestreit also ruled out the possibility of the German government supporting the idea of sending Western troops to Ukraine. 

Germany, led by Olaf Scholz, has consistently refused to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles – even after the UK, France and the US have supplied their long-range weapons.

Recently, Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union party, stated that supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles would not make Germany a party to the war.

The day before, the German Foreign Ministry acknowledged the possibility of imposing new sanctions on the DPRK if North Korean troops participated in Russia's war against Ukraine.