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ripcord

(5,084 posts)
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 12:33 PM Feb 2022

Germany OKs weapons for Ukraine in major shift on military aid

Source: Politico

Germany has authorized the Netherlands to send Ukraine 400 rocket-propelled grenade launchers to aid in the fight against Russian invaders, according to two EU officials — marking an abrupt shift in Berlin’s military policy amid pressure from EU and NATO allies.

Until Saturday, Germany had clung to a longstanding practice of not permitting lethal weapons that it controlled to be transferred into a conflict zone.

That stance bewildered some European officials, even more so after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion and launched missile strikes on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

Germany’s shift comes as numerous Western allies are mobilizing to send Ukraine more guns, ammunition and even anti-aircraft defense systems as Russian forces bear down on major Ukrainian cities.

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-war-russia-germany-still-blocking-arms-supplies/



Its about time.
32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Germany OKs weapons for Ukraine in major shift on military aid (Original Post) ripcord Feb 2022 OP
You'll never fix your wrecked and ruined reputation here, Germany Leghorn21 Feb 2022 #1
👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻 onecaliberal Feb 2022 #7
I believe the Germans know that and, to their credit, have done much to try to repair AZLD4Candidate Feb 2022 #9
Oh, no, AZ, I was referring to their recent refusal to allow needed weapons and supplies Leghorn21 Feb 2022 #14
Then I misunderstood your intention. Thank you for clarifying AZLD4Candidate Feb 2022 #15
It's Nord Stream... hippywife Feb 2022 #24
Do you feel they same way about Japan and Italy? Auggie Feb 2022 #11
You forgot to add "IMHO" TeamProg Feb 2022 #16
Gee, thanks. paleotn Feb 2022 #18
The world is stepping up to help end the death and destruction...we must put Putin in his place PortTack Feb 2022 #2
My wife, who is very anti-war told me... Happy Hoosier Feb 2022 #20
My wife, who is very anti-war told me... Happy Hoosier Feb 2022 #21
I've come to that conclusion as well. AngryOldDem Feb 2022 #30
Do it now. gab13by13 Feb 2022 #3
Kick dalton99a Feb 2022 #4
'Bout time! SheltieLover Feb 2022 #5
Germany in military conflict (of a sort) with Russia anamnua Feb 2022 #6
About time.... Pachamama Feb 2022 #8
Blood in the water: this is a bit like sharks circling when a company approaches bankruptcy bucolic_frolic Feb 2022 #10
I hope that is the goal. The Jungle 1 Feb 2022 #26
I certainly hope this is the beginning of the end of Putin. AngryOldDem Feb 2022 #31
Nations reluctant to wholeheartedly support Ukraine, are finding world opinion is anti Russia. Fla Dem Feb 2022 #12
Good news. Martin68 Feb 2022 #13
Russia will close its airspace to Romanian airliners "due to unfriendly decisions by Romanian yaesu Feb 2022 #17
How are they transporting all that, through the border? AlexSFCA Feb 2022 #19
Some one should investigate wheather... nycbos Feb 2022 #22
Scholz and Baerbock were shamed into it greenjar_01 Feb 2022 #23
Unfortunately, they need boots on the ground, Bayard Feb 2022 #25
It is past time, and I wonder what took them so long. At least it is happening. Evolve Dammit Feb 2022 #27
Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 stinger missiles to Ukraine, the German chancellor yaesu Feb 2022 #28
Thats a start James48 Feb 2022 #29
Question: If NATO countries are Roc2020 Feb 2022 #32

Leghorn21

(13,520 posts)
1. You'll never fix your wrecked and ruined reputation here, Germany
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 12:35 PM
Feb 2022

Last edited Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:57 PM - Edit history (1)

but “thanks”, I guess

Edit:
Hey, I’m referring to their recent/current stances:

When they suspended Nordstrom (WOW), that was a huge step in the right direction (and not an easy one) —- they’re currently lifting their ban on aid to Ukraine and are now —- considering backing Russia’s ejection from SWIFT, so that’s the kind of “bad rep” stuff I’m talking about!!

AZLD4Candidate

(5,569 posts)
9. I believe the Germans know that and, to their credit, have done much to try to repair
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 12:58 PM
Feb 2022

My family hosted a German exchange student and this conversation came up more than few times because we are Jewish.

Our exchange student sincerely apologized for everything (even though we didn't blame him) and said that 1933-1945 will always be the darkest time for Germany and it may never be forgiven. Germans accept this and have gone out of their way to atone, learn, and make sure it never happens again.

Yes, Germany's reputation is wrecked and ruined, but at least they acknowledge it and have made huge strides to try to overcome it. The same can't be said for other countries, like Japan who still deny the Rape of Nanking and Unit 731 ever happened or existed.

Leghorn21

(13,520 posts)
14. Oh, no, AZ, I was referring to their recent refusal to allow needed weapons and supplies
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:11 PM
Feb 2022

Last edited Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:53 PM - Edit history (1)

to go to Ukraine, it was baffling and looked BAD

However!: first, they suspended Nordstrom (WOW), they’re currently lifting their ban on aid to Ukraine and are now considering backing Russia’s ejection from SWIFT, so that’s the kind of “bad rep” stuff I’m talking about!!

I totally agree that Germany has done all it can to make amends and move forward from their darkest days, absolutely and 100% —-

TeamProg

(5,788 posts)
16. You forgot to add "IMHO"
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:19 PM
Feb 2022

- which is not mine.

How about the U.S.'s reputation?

England's?

South Africa's?



Happy Hoosier

(7,082 posts)
20. My wife, who is very anti-war told me...
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:52 PM
Feb 2022

… Putin has to be stopped here. If he is not more war is sure to follow.

This is the first time I’ve heard advocating for armed conflict if necessary.

Happy Hoosier

(7,082 posts)
21. My wife, who is very anti-war told me...
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:54 PM
Feb 2022

… Putin has to be stopped here. If he is not more war is sure to follow.

This is the first time I’ve heard advocating for armed conflict if necessary.

AngryOldDem

(14,061 posts)
30. I've come to that conclusion as well.
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 03:29 PM
Feb 2022

It’s increasingly clear Putin is insane. He must be stopped. Nobody knows what he will do, or what “scores” he wants to settle, where he will stop, or exactly what he has in his arsenal.

If these flamethrowers are used, then something must be done, despite Ukraine’s non-NATO status. Vaporizing civilians is just a step away from using nukes, IMO.

As for Germany, there will be time later (and history) to assess its motives.

bucolic_frolic

(42,679 posts)
10. Blood in the water: this is a bit like sharks circling when a company approaches bankruptcy
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:01 PM
Feb 2022

Once the word leaks out that BK is possible or imminent, all the creditors want to be paid and BK happens sooner. Responsible countries, companies, organizations are piling on ... could the Russian government fall over this debacle Putin's created?

 

The Jungle 1

(4,552 posts)
26. I hope that is the goal.
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 02:18 PM
Feb 2022

I believe that the sanctions will destroy the economy in russia. So yes the government will fall.
We must demonstrate all the support for Biden that we can. Show that this country is 100% behind him. No negative comments regarding Biden should be allowed to go unanswered.
Supporting Biden supports Ukraine.
This is going to be painful for us also. Fuel costs will go up and we must grin and bear it. Many things will increase in cost.
Russia must be smashed.

AngryOldDem

(14,061 posts)
31. I certainly hope this is the beginning of the end of Putin.
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 03:31 PM
Feb 2022

Don’t care how that bastard goes, as long as he does.

Fla Dem

(23,353 posts)
12. Nations reluctant to wholeheartedly support Ukraine, are finding world opinion is anti Russia.
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:05 PM
Feb 2022

They are readjusting their positions. Russia will become a pariah among nations. Would not be surprised to see Putin mysteriously disappear at some point and new leadership take over.

Hope that's not wishful thinking.

Martin68

(22,671 posts)
13. Good news.
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:11 PM
Feb 2022

I respect Germany's reluctance to become involved by offering lethal aid due to their history in pst wars.

yaesu

(8,020 posts)
17. Russia will close its airspace to Romanian airliners "due to unfriendly decisions by Romanian
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:34 PM
Feb 2022

aviation authorities”, Russian federal aviation agency Rosaviatsiya said on Saturday. Romania earlier banned Russian airlines from its airspace.

Meanwhile, Lithuania will also close its airspace to Russian airlines at 10pm GMT on Saturday due to the invasion, the government said, blocking access from Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave to Ukraine.

The war seems to be expanding much further than pooty imagined, look for him to become even more unstable as he doesn't get his way.

nycbos

(6,033 posts)
22. Some one should investigate wheather...
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:55 PM
Feb 2022

... the current chancleor has any ties to Russian business interests.

Bayard

(21,806 posts)
25. Unfortunately, they need boots on the ground,
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 02:07 PM
Feb 2022

More than anything. Russia has 4 times their number of regular military.

Is it possible to pay mercenaries, or is that against the rules?

yaesu

(8,020 posts)
28. Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 stinger missiles to Ukraine, the German chancellor
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 02:45 PM
Feb 2022

James48

(4,416 posts)
29. Thats a start
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 03:09 PM
Feb 2022

But nowhere near sufficient.

And all those weapons are only as good as trained operators.

We need to be setting up training for Ukrainian soldiers immediately and teach them how to use them properly.

Roc2020

(1,604 posts)
32. Question: If NATO countries are
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 03:37 PM
Feb 2022

supplying military AID to Ukraine. Aren't NATO already involved and Putin is eyeing that with rising anger?

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