Germany to send thousands of weapons to Ukraine, reversing longtime stance on lethal military aid

Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles to Ukraine to aid their military against the Russian attacks.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made the announcement on Saturday, this represents a U-turn from the country’s long-standing policy of not allowing German-made lethal weapons to be sent to conflict zones. Germany will also lift its ban on other countries sending German-manufactured weapons.

Scholz wrote in a tweet that the “Russian invasion marks a turning point. It is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in defending against Putin’s invading army.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded Scholz’s announcement, telling the German chancellor on Twitter to “keep it up” and calling it “anti-war coalition in action!”

The approval for the Dutch to send weapons to Ukraine, which was first reported by Politico, came due to pressure from other E.U. and NATO allies who are sending guns, ammunition and other military aid to bolster Ukraine’s defenses as Russian forces close in on major Ukrainian cities.

The shift could lead to an increase in weapons transfers to Ukraine, as many of Europe’s weapons are in-part manufactured by Germany, giving the country legal control over transfers to third parties, Politico reports.