Ukraine awaits German tanks during Schulz's visit to Kyiv

ARK News... Ukrainian Ambassador Andrei Melnik expects German Chancellor Olaf Schulz to pledge to supply German tanks to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv.

"Without heavy German weapons, unfortunately, we will not be able to break the massive Russian military superiority and save the lives of soldiers and civilians," Melnik told the German news agency DPA. "The Ukrainians expect Chancellor Olaf Schulz to announce a new aid package of German weapons during his visit to Kyiv, Which should certainly include Leopard 1 main battle tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which can be delivered immediately.”

According to media reports, Schulz plans to travel to Kyiv this month with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. No plans to visit have been officially confirmed or denied so far.

Melnik said that Germany's slowness in delivering weapons to Ukraine is disappointing, explaining that since May 3 last six million rounds have arrived, but there is no longer a supply of more weapons. To increase the volume (imports of arms) and the speed of supply, so that Ukraine can repel the major Russian offensive in the Donbas region.”

In the first three months of the start of the Russian war in Ukraine, the German government agreed to deliver weapons and equipment worth €350.1 million to Kyiv.

A response from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in response to a request for a briefing from the Left Party deputy, Sevim Daglin, stated that from the first day of the war on February 24, until the first of June, the German government gave the green light to deliver military weapons worth $ €219.8 million and equipment such as helmets and flak jackets for €85.2 million. In addition, there are weapons and equipment of the German army worth 45.1 million euros, which were approved in a simplified procedure as of the first of last April.

In response, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, Udo Philip, indicated that most of the matter here is about used equipment from the German army and its value was estimated according to the current time, and not according to its original price, which was partially higher in its new condition.

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