German Defence Secretary Christine Lambrecht confirmed the country is sending weapons to Ukraine
(Picture: Getty Images)Germany has confirmed it will supply Ukraine with seven powerful self-propelled howitzers to help defend itself against Russia.
Defence minister Christine Lambrecht said Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in Germany to use the self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery which is capable of firing precision ammunition at a distance of up to 25 miles.
Germany has stepped up its material support for Ukraine in recent weeks after the government’s initial reluctance to provide heavy weapons drew widespread criticism.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is due to address the nation Sunday on the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
The defeat of Nazi Germany by the Allies 77 years ago has increasingly been portrayed as a day of liberation in the country.
Scholz’s speech is expected to outline his government’s position on the war in Ukraine.
In a significant shift, the German government said it would begin sending weapons and other supplies directly to Ukraine in February.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It threatens our entire post-war order,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement.
“In this situation, it is our duty to help Ukraine, to the best of our ability, to defend itself against Vladimir Putin’s invading army.”
Germany had long stuck to a policy of not exporting deadly weapons to conflict zones, including Ukraine.
But the country — which has the strongest economy in the 27-nation European Union — had faced criticism from Ukrainian officials and other allies for not acting decisively enough to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the news of weapons shipments.
He posted praise for Scholz on Twitter: “Keep it up, Chancellor @OlafScholz! Anti-war coalition in action!”
