The German magazine Der Spiegel was the first to report on the aid. According to the publication, Ukraine’s largest German aid package will include:
Ukraine has pressured its allies to send it long-range weapons, planes, and ammunition ahead of a counter-offensive scheduled for weeks or months to come.
Initially, Germany was reluctant to send heavy weapons to Ukraine to help it deal with the Russian invasion, fearing that it might intensify the fighting. But in January, Berlin agreed to send its Leopard tanks and said it would work with the allies to send more.
Last year, Germany provided Ukraine with military aid worth 2 billion euros and had earmarked 2.2 billion euros for this year, although details had not yet been finalized.
With the new arms shipment, the federal government focuses on two fronts. On the one hand, Ukraine’s ground forces must be strengthened with armored personnel carriers and main battle tanks. Additionally, Germany wants to modernize Ukraine’s air defense significantly.
The new German military aid package comes as Ukrainian President Zelensky arrived in Rome to visit the Pope and hold talks with political leaders, which could be followed by a trip to Berlin.
Zelensky is scheduled to receive the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen on Sunday on behalf of the Ukrainian people. It is unclear if she will attend the award ceremony in person.
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