Leading politicians from the Ampel parties in the Bundestag have called for more support for the Ukrainian military offensive against the Russian attackers. “Germany must immediately do its part in Ukraine’s successes and deliver protected vehicles, the Marder infantry fighting vehicle and the Leopard 2 battle tank,” said the chairwoman of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, on Sunday of the German Press Agency. Germany is thus standing by the side of the Ukrainian people and is assuming a “leading role in Europe in the fight for democracy in peace and freedom”. The FDP politician also called for no time to be lost. “And certainly not this is the time for procrastination and hesitation,” she said.
Strack-carpenter for delivery of heavy weapons
“The current military advance of the Ukrainian army and the first recaptured areas in the east of the country speak for the fighting power of Ukraine and the unconditional will to take back the conquered country – in connection with the delivery of heavy weapons and military equipment from its allies,” said Strack- carpenter.
After Ukraine’s military successes, SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth also spoke out in favor of quickly supporting the country with new weapons. “In this new phase of the war, Ukraine needs weapons that enable it to liberate areas occupied by Russia and keep them under permanent control,” the Foreign Affairs Committee chairman told the Funke media group. “The West, especially the USA, Germany, France and Poland, should coordinate closely here and adapt their deliveries to the new situation.”
Roth: Ukraine can win this war
The recent successes of the Ukrainian army in the north-east and south of the country have made it seem increasingly realistic “that Ukraine can win this war as a free, democratic country while maintaining its territorial integrity,” said Roth. The deliveries of modern Western weapons are the decisive means “to push back Russian imperialism, colonialism and nationalism and bring an end to the war closer”. It is now a question of “using the momentum for Ukraine”.
The Greens defense expert Agnieszka Brugger spoke out in favor of increasing arms deliveries. Especially in the areas of air defense, protected transport, artillery and protective equipment “we should do everything possible,” said the vice-chairman of the Greens parliamentary group of the Funke media group. “All options have to be re-examined without restraints, because these are crucial months for the people of Ukraine and for order on our continent.” The current successes of Ukraine showed that the motivation and very good organization of the Ukrainian army in combination with the availability of modern weapon systems made it possible to liberate occupied territories.
Union calls on the SPD to act quickly
The CDU foreign politician Roderich Kiesewetter made a similar statement for the opposition. “In order for the counteroffensive to be successful in the long term and for Ukraine to keep its state territory, all possible military support is needed now,” he told the Funke media group. “Germany could immediately deliver martens and leopards, foxes and dingos and quickly instruct the industry to reproduce them.” Without these armored vehicles, Ukrainian soldiers are often defenseless when advancing. Kiesewetter called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (both SPD) to give up their cautious approach to supplying the Ukraine with western-made tanks.
