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 Berlins 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.
Germanys 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.
Leghorn21
(13,520 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 26, 2022, 01:57 PM - Edit history (1)
but thanks, I guess
Edit:
Hey, Im 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) - theyre currently lifting their ban on aid to Ukraine and are now - considering backing Russias ejection from SWIFT, so thats the kind of bad rep stuff Im talking about!!
onecaliberal
(32,489 posts)AZLD4Candidate
(5,569 posts)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)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), theyre currently lifting their ban on aid to Ukraine and are now considering backing Russias ejection from SWIFT, so thats the kind of bad rep stuff Im 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% -
AZLD4Candidate
(5,569 posts)hippywife
(22,767 posts)not Nordstrom the retailer.
Auggie
(31,068 posts)TeamProg
(5,788 posts)- which is not mine.
How about the U.S.'s reputation?
England's?
South Africa's?
paleotn
(17,781 posts)Waiting to see if Ukraine folds before sending aid? So nice.
PortTack
(32,606 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,082 posts)
Putin has to be stopped here. If he is not more war is sure to follow.
This is the first time Ive heard advocating for armed conflict if necessary.
Happy Hoosier
(7,082 posts)
Putin has to be stopped here. If he is not more war is sure to follow.
This is the first time Ive heard advocating for armed conflict if necessary.
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Its 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 Ukraines 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.
gab13by13
(20,876 posts)dalton99a
(81,084 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)anamnua
(1,096 posts)for the first time since 1945. Interesting.
Pachamama
(16,875 posts)bucolic_frolic
(42,679 posts)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)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)Dont care how that bastard goes, as long as he does.
Fla Dem
(23,353 posts)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)I respect Germany's reluctance to become involved by offering lethal aid due to their history in pst wars.
yaesu
(8,020 posts)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 Russias 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.
AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)nycbos
(6,033 posts)... the current chancleor has any ties to Russian business interests.
greenjar_01
(6,477 posts)Not really acquitting themselves well on this issue.
Bayard
(21,806 posts)More than anything. Russia has 4 times their number of regular military.
Is it possible to pay mercenaries, or is that against the rules?
Evolve Dammit
(16,632 posts)yaesu
(8,020 posts)James48
(4,416 posts)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)supplying military AID to Ukraine. Aren't NATO already involved and Putin is eyeing that with rising anger?