The speaker of Ukraine’s parliament claimed that the key to success over Russia is modern weapons and swift choices.
Ruslan Stefanchuk, the Speaker of Ukraine’s Parliament, stated that Berlin may provide Kiev with submarines. Mr. Stefanchuk provided this information during his visit to Germany in the context of Russia’s ongoing military action in Ukraine.
The leader of Ukraine’s parliament, speaking ahead of a meeting with German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht on June 3, said that “the supply of the most modern equipment to Ukraine” and swift decision-making on the issue will bring the “shared victory” over Russia closer.
Stefanchuk expressed optimism that Ukraine would receive the IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems soon.
“I do not rule out receiving submarines from Germany,” the senator stated, “since we are ready to become Europe’s eastern defence frontier.”
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Lambrecht stressed that her country “would continue to do everything in our power to defend Ukraine, not just now but in the future.”
Later, in an interview with Welt TV, Stefanchuk summarised the outcomes of his visit to Germany, emphasising that Kiev “first and foremost” requires modern armaments.
“We can fight with old weapons from old stocks as well,” he continued, “but modern weapons are more effective.”
Kiev expects Germany to supply them with both Marder armoured vehicles and Leopard tanks, according to the head of Ukraine’s parliament. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba described the weapons as Kiev’s “dream” last month.
As a result of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine, Germany has reversed its long-held position of opposing arms transfers into conflict zones and has agreed to supply Kiev with lethal weaponry.
Moscow has warned the West repeatedly against “pumping” arms into Ukraine, claiming that doing so would simply prolong the conflict and produce long-term issues. Russia has also stated that any foreign weapons found in Ukraine are acceptable targets.
On June 3, Germany’s parliament approved a constitutional change that will create a 100 billion euro fund to improve the country’s military defence capabilities.
“This is the moment when Germany declares that we will be there when Europe needs us,” said Annalena Baerbock of the Green Party.
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz promised a special budget of 100 billion euros to re-equip the German army and update the country’s outmoded weapons within a few days next year, just three days after Russia dispatched Ukrainian troops in February.
However, critics have accused Mr. Scholz of being cautious in his support for Kiev and of failing to take tangible steps to supply armaments to Ukraine.
On the same day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reacted to the aforementioned decision, saying: “We regard this as yet more evidence that Berlin is embarking on a new remilitarization route. We all know how that could turn out.”
Zakharova’s remarks appear to allude to Adolf Hitler’s Nazi rearmament effort of the 1930s.
