…and instead it is using Ukraine as a proxy force in an attempt to inflict strategic defeat on Moscow, said Russian Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechaev.
In an interview with Izvestia newspaper published on April 10, Mr. Nechaev did not rule out the possibility that Germany would supply fighters to Ukrainedespite the fact that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly stated that the country has no such plan.
Ukrainian soldiers participating in training in Germany respond to the media. Photo: AFP
“Fire range of German weapons supplied to Ukraine continuously expanding. From shipments of helmets, Berlin has progressed to provide the Kiev authorities with modern lethal weapons systems, including heavy battle tanks, howitzers, various missile systems and systems. air defense system,” Nechaev said.
According to him: “The German government has long crossed all possible red lines in an attempt to inflict strategic defeat on Russia. So we do not have any special illusions.”
However, Mr. Nechaev said Berlin would not go so far as to send troops to fight Russia in the conflict in Ukraine. According to the Russian diplomat, the move would mean “the direct participation of Germany in the conflict with Russia, which at least at the present stage Berlin is still trying to avoid by all means possible. Therefore, it is unlikely that German voters will support such plans because it would be easier to fight with other parties’ forces.”
Germany is one of the EU countries that support Ukraine the most in its conflict with Russia. The country’s military provided $2.2 billion in military assistance to Kiev last year and is expected to provide an additional $2.4 billion in military assistance in 2023.
This year, Berlin committed to supply 18 Leopard 2 main battle tanks and 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, among other vehicles. Ukrainian Army are also training for the use of combat vehicles in Germany with the first group having completed training in mid-March.
Russia has repeatedly criticized the shipments of the US, UK, Germany and EU countries to Ukraine, saying that it only prolongs the conflict and does not change the outcome of the Russian military campaign. Moscow also argues that the support provided to Kiev in many areas has made Western countries de facto parties to the conflict.
