By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Germany to send weapons to Ukraine in policy reversal
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
News

Germany to send weapons to Ukraine in policy reversal

Agency Report with Okay.ng
By Agency Report with Okay.ng
Published: February 27, 2022
Share
5 Min Read
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz waits for the Polish Prime Minister and the Lithuanian President on February 26, 2022 at the Chancellery in Berlin, as they meet for talks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz waits for the Polish Prime Minister and the Lithuanian President on February 26, 2022 at the Chancellery in Berlin, as they meet for talks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP
SHARE

Germany on Saturday dramatically ramped up its backing for Ukraine’s battle against Russia, approving weapons deliveries for Kyiv in a policy U-turn and agreeing to limit Moscow’s access to the SWIFT interbank system.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point in history. It threatens our entire post-war order,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz as his government approved the delivery of a huge batch of lethal weapons to Kyiv.

“In this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against (Russian President) Vladimir Putin’s invading army,” said Scholz, stressing that Germany “stands closely by Ukraine’s side”.

In a shift from its longstanding policy of banning weapons exports to conflict zones, Berlin is opening up its Bundeswehr store, pledging to transfer 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 “Stinger” class surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine.

- Advertisement -

It also finally approved the deliveries of 400 anti-tank rocket launchers via the Netherlands to Ukraine on Saturday.

The anti-tank launchers had been purchased by the Netherlands from Berlin, and The Hague had therefore required Germany’s green light to hand them to Kyiv.

Likewise, a weeks-long request from Estonia for the transfer to Ukraine of nine old Howitzers purchased from ex-communist East Germany won approval.

Besides the weapons, 14 armoured vehicles will be handed over to Ukraine, and “will serve for the protection of personnel, possibly for evacuation purposes”, said a government source.

- Advertisement -

Up to 10,000 tonnes of fuel will also be sent through Poland to Ukraine, said the source, adding that other “possible support services is now being examined”.

Welcoming the decision, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted: “Keep it up, Chancellor Olaf Scholz!”

Fighting for ‘our freedom’

Kyiv has for weeks been pleading with Germany to send armaments to help face down an invasion by Russia.

Ukraine’s wish list, seen by AFP, included mid-range anti-aircraft rocket systems, anti-drone rifles, microwave destruction systems and munitions.

But Scholz’s coalition of his Social Democrats, Greens and liberal FDP has until now cited Germany’s legacy of war guilt as a reason for not shipping lethal weapons to conflict zones.

Berlin’s obstinate refusal on weapons deliveries, and a previous decision to send only 5,000 helmets, had sparked anger and mockery.

Hours before Germany’s key policy shift, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki became the latest leader to hit out at Berlin over its weapons exports stance as he arrived in the German capital for talks with Scholz.

“Five thousand helmets? That must be some kind of joke. There needs to be real help… weapons,” he said, stressing that Ukraine is not just fighting for itself.

“They are also fighting for us. For our freedom, our sovereignty. So that we aren’t next in line,” he said.

Morawiecki had also voiced frustration with Berlin for dawdling on agreeing “crushing” sanctions, including booting Russia out of the SWIFT system that banks rely on to transfer money.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner had earlier this week laid out starkly the preoccupation of Europe’s biggest economy.

The suspension of SWIFT “would mean that there is a high risk that Germany will no longer receive gas, raw material supplies from Russia”, he said.

Lindner told public television he was “open” to including SWIFT “in the course of possible further toughening of sanctions”, while adding that allies would “have to be aware of the consequences”.

But with pressure mounting from allies, Berlin said it was now working on excluding Russia from the system in a “targeted and functional” way.

“We are working at the same time urgently on limiting the collateral damage from an exclusion from SWIFT so that (the measure) hits the right people,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a joint statement.

“What we need is a targeted and functional limitation of SWIFT,” they added.

The plan would be to directly exclude Russian banks already hit by EU sanctions.

Viewed as a “financial nuclear weapon”, a banishment from SWIFT would leave a country severely crippled in its ability to trade with others.

Iran was disconnected from the system between 2012 and 2016 over its nuclear programme.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:GermanyUkraine
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Abike Dabiri-Erewa FG recommends four borders for Nigerians in Ukraine crossing over to Poland
Next Article Roman Abramovich Abramovich hands over control of Chelsea to ‘trustees’

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,605.00
Sell Rate ₦1,620.00

Last updated: 3 days ago (June 3, 2025 2:33 pm)

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

USD/NGN Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

L-R: Ify Okoye, Digital Creator; Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Actress; Stella Erebor, Head Internal Audit, Nigerian Communications Commission; Emanuella Samuel, Comedienne/Actress, Sylvia Musalagani, Safety Policy Manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET), Meta, and Nicole Chikwe, founder of The Mummy Summit, during the launch of Instagram teen accounts in Lagos on Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Meta Launches Teen Accounts on Instagram in Nigeria to Enhance Online Safety for Young Users
Tech
President Tinubu and Top Officials Attend Eid-el-Kabir Prayers in Lagos, Emphasize Peace and Progress
News
Elon Musk’s Net Worth Plummets $34 Billion Amid Explosive Feud with Donald Trump
International
BREAKING: Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umo Eno Defects from PDP to APC in Strategic Political Shift
Politics Top stories
BREAKING: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, Passes Away at 89
News Top stories
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

International

Russia Launches Deadly Drone and Missile Strikes Across Ukraine Following Ukrainian Attacks on Russian Bomber Fleet

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 6, 2025
Top stories

MTN Nigeria Doubles ICT Industry Average with 41.4% Female Workforce Representation

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 6, 2025
News

Lagos Commuters Endure Severe Gridlock as Pre-Sallah Activities Paralyze Major Routes

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 6, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?