According to the dpa news agency, the Social Democratic (SPD) politician stated upon arrival that he plans to discuss further assistance and gather firsthand information about the situation at the front.
“It is important for me to show with this trip that we continue to actively support Ukraine. This is a signal that Germany, as the largest NATO country in Europe, supports Ukraine—not alone, but together with the Big Five and many other allies,” Pistorius was quoted as saying by German broadcaster n-tv.
Just days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, Pistorius met with his Polish, French, and Italian counterparts in Warsaw to coordinate additional support for Ukraine.
New Military Aid
On the same day, the German defense minister also handed over the first RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled howitzer to the Ukrainian ambassador. According to Pistorius, Ukraine is expected to receive five more of these systems by the end of the year. In total, Berlin plans to supply Kyiv with 54 such howitzers.
Clarification on Aid Package
Minister Pistorius denied rumors that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz allegedly blocked a new military aid package for Ukraine worth 3 billion euros. He emphasized that a proposed package is under review within the German government and will be finalized after the necessary coordination is completed.
