For the FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the Russian rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities show that an end to the war cannot be achieved at the negotiating table. “You can’t negotiate with Russia under Putin and his followers,” the chairwoman of the defense committee told the German Press Agency in Berlin on Tuesday. “That was shown by the murderous rocket attacks by this terrorist gang right in the heart of Kyiv and on other cities.” The end of the war will only be achieved with material support from Ukraine.
It is a good sign that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has promised Ukraine support for the country’s reconstruction, said the politician, who was in Kyiv last week. “Winter is coming and everything is needed for Ukraine to arm itself. From equipment for the cold months to ammunition and artillery. For the southern flank, however, Ukraine primarily needs main battle tanks.”emphasized Strack-Zimmermann.
While Ukraine particularly wants the Leopard 2 main battle tank, it is also very grateful for deliveries of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. Strack Zimmermann: “The marten would be the fastest solution at the moment.” The Bundeswehr could immediately deliver at least 50 martens and offer training in Germany, as Strack-Zimmermann said. “Industry could replace the Marder for the Bundeswehr within a year.”
Strack-Zimmermann demanded that at the same time “Spain’s offer to train Ukrainian soldiers on the Leopard battle tank in Latvia” had to be “seriously discussed”. She said: “You need German approval for that. We must not stand in the way of any help.”
