German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has described the support provided to Ukraine with air-defence systems to date as a “major step,” on the fringes of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) summit in Washington DC, United States of America (USA).
At the same time, he hinted at the prospect of the delivery of further aid to Ukraine, saying: “In my view, this process is not complete.”
Scholz stated this on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 before a meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a report by the German News Service (delivered by dpa), the United States, Germany and other allies had promised Ukraine five systems to defend against Russian airstrikes at the beginning of the NATO summit on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Ukraine had already requested seven additional systems in April, so the demand is not yet covered.
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“Germany has already delivered three Patriot systems and is counting on other NATO states to follow suit. Germany has taken a big step in encouraging others to realize that this is necessary,” Scholz said.
Speaking further, he said: “It is safe to say without Germany leading the way, this step would not have been taken now.”
Scholz also emphasized that he considered the prospect of Ukraine’s joining NATO, which is to be set out in a joint declaration by the 32 member states, to be sufficient.
He expressed confidence that this would “also provide Ukraine with the degree of clarity that they need to be able to rely on. And that is why I believe it will be a great success and a sign of unity.”
“ In the NATO declaration, which has not yet been finalized, the accession process for Ukraine is to be described as “irreversible,” Scholz added.
PHOTO CAPTION FOR GERMAN STORY
Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz (middle) joins Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store, at the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Washington DC
