The traffic light coalition agrees that Kyiv needs help with its air defenses after the Russian revenge campaign. In reaction to Moscow's escalation, however, the Green politician Hofreiter also advocates the delivery of battle tanks to Ukraine.
After the series of Russian rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities, Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter is pushing for an increase in arms deliveries to Kyiv. "In view of the attacks by the Russian military on civilians and non-military infrastructure in Ukraine, Europe and Germany still have to do more," he told the newspapers of the Funke media group. "It is important to check whether air defense systems can be delivered more quickly."
In addition, "Western-style armored personnel carriers and main battle tanks should finally be delivered," Hofreiter demanded. The federal government has so far refused to supply such military equipment to Ukraine. Hofreiter also called for increased efforts to "isolate Russia internationally."
In retaliation for the bomb blast on the Crimean bridge on Saturday, Russia bombed several cities in Ukraine on Monday morning. For the first time in months, rockets fell in the capital Kyiv and in Lviv in western Ukraine, and many other cities were also shelled. There were several deaths.
In response to the attacks, the heads of state and government of the Group of Seven industrialized countries (G7) are holding special consultations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, Tuesday. According to the federal government, a video conference is planned for the afternoon. Germany currently holds the G7 presidency.
The CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter said on the TV station Welt that there would be promises for further military strengthening of Ukraine during the talks. Kiesewetter also called for tank deliveries: The planned delivery of 50 protected Dingo-type transport vehicles is "a first step. But then of course more heavily armed systems, such as the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, or, to hold territory, the Leopard battle tank" will also help." , said Kiesewetter.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had previously promised Kyiv rapid air defense assistance. "We are doing everything we can to quickly strengthen Ukraine's air defenses," wrote the Greens politician on Twitter on Monday afternoon. She spoke with a view to the Russian rocket fire of people in fear of death in the morning traffic in Kiev and an impact crater next to a playground and said: "It is vile and unjustifiable that Putin is shooting at cities and civilians with rockets."
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht reiterated her announcement made a week and a half ago in Odessa: "In the next few days, the first of four state-of-the-art Iris-T SLM air defense systems will be ready to provide effective protection for the people of Ukraine."
