At Maybrit Illner, Andrij Melnyk explains that Ukraine wants to reconquer regions occupied by Russians with German weapons, that Ukrainian soldiers are learning how to operate modern military equipment via YouTube videos and that Germany has still not found its position on Russia.
“We’re giving Germany the chance to do a lot more,” says Andrij Melnyk. “The fact is that there is not a single heavy weapon from Germany in Ukraine.” The Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany adds that he is by no means trying to assign blame. “But according to our findings, Germany could and should do more.” Germany has stocks that it could use. These included, for example, 800 Fuchs transport tanks and 300 Marders. “Germany can deliver from these stocks. It’s about speed. Ukraine has no time,” Melnyk affirmed. “We can use it to liberate areas occupied by the Russians. Germany is able to deliver.” Above all, Ukraine needs modern weapons with long ranges. The knowledge gap with regard to western technology can also be closed quickly. Melnyk reports: “We learn quickly – also via YouTube videos.”
Ralf Stegner is a member of the SPD Bundestag and thus the only discussant in the group who can defend the government. “It’s not that we don’t want to help,” counters the deputy SPD chairman. Nor is he a pacifist. But he could not go along with this narrowing down to the military question. Of course, you also have to use the diplomatic channels. Part of the responsibility is to fight possible famine, and the war must not spread. “I’m glad I live in a country where we don’t just shoot. And Vladimir Putin belongs in The Hague before the war crimes tribunal.”
Maybrit Illner calculates that Germany has supplied weapons worth a total of 300 million euros. That is a little less money than Estonia and Lithuania gave together and a tenth of what the US made available. “Since the end of April, nothing essential has been delivered from Germany to the Ukraine,” warns CDU member of the Bundestag Roderich Kiesewetter. “We have fallen far short of our potential.” The retired colonel has therefore announced that the Union will make a motion in the Bundestag for the coming week, which is intended to get the federal government moving on the issue of arms deliveries. Putin denied Ukraine’s right to exist. “Now we have to move forward with momentum. It can be a long war of attrition. More aid to Ukraine can end the war.”
The Ukrainian Ambassador Melnyk does not see the role that Germany plays in relation to Ukraine as clearly defined. Germany has not yet been able to completely break away from Russia. “Russia will remain an important factor for Germany in the future. I don’t think the controversy has been resolved yet,” said the Ambassador of Ukraine. But Germany must now learn from the experience and “help Ukraine”. In this respect, it is good that Chancellor Olaf Scholz has now visited Ukraine. Perhaps the destruction that Scholz saw there will lead to more action. Support for Ukraine’s EU membership is now also more noticeable. Melnyk says: “We don’t want to be petitioners. We want to do something for our EU membership.”
