Scholz promised Ukraine IRIS-T, missiles and ammunition
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Getty Images)
Germany will provide Ukraine with air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition to protect critical infrastructure in the coming months, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference in Berlin.
"We will send a third Patriot air defense system, IRIS-T launchers, Gepard systems, missiles, and ammunition to Ukraine. All of this will be sent to Ukraine in the coming months and weeks," Scholz said.
He added that Germany is sending more air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition to strengthen Kyiv’s defense against a barrage of Russian attacks on cities and critical infrastructure.
"The best kind of reconstruction is the one that should not happen at all," Scholz said.
In his opening remarks on Tuesday, Scholz emphasized the importance of private capital in the reconstruction efforts, stating that "it also needs to make economic sense."
"Those who get involved early, who develop and expand their economic relations with Ukraine now, will be at the forefront. On behalf of German industry, I can say they are doing this," Scholz said.
He made these remarks to delegates, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
In his speech, Scholz also reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s potential membership in the European Union.
"A few months after the start of the war with Russia, we jointly made a firm promise to Ukraine: Ukraine's future is in the EU," he said, noting that the promise remains valid.
A representative of the German Foreign Ministry stated that several declarations of intent and agreements to support reconstruction would be signed during the Berlin conference.
The German government and the European Commission will sign an agreement to increase funding for the Comprehensive Response Center for Ukraine to 75 million euros.
As part of this initiative, the acquisition of Ukrainian equipment for demining cities and villages, protecting nuclear power plants, and supporting energy supply after attacks on power plants has been paid for.
Germany's Patriot air defense system
Talks about Germany providing the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine have been ongoing for several months. According to The New York Times, the delivery might coincide with the handover of F-16 fighter jets in June.
