Europe

Germany shields Ukraine military support data for strategic reasons

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Germany has decided to stop public disclosure of information regarding military aid shipments to Ukraine.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in an official visit to Kyiv, told Reuters, “Under my leadership, discussions on arms supplies, caliber, weapon systems, and similar matters will be kept out of the public eye.”

Earlier, an unnamed source told Reuters that data on military aid would be kept secret to provide “strategic ambiguity” and prevent Russia from gaining any advantage in the war.

According to the source, the German government will no longer publish the list of shipped weapons, which it has regularly updated on its website since June 21, 2022.

Chancellor Merz was also asked about the supply of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine during the “coalition of volunteers” summit in Kyiv.

This was one of Merz’s election promises. Merz did not give a direct answer to this question but did not rule out such a possibility. Shortly before taking office, he had stated that this decision would be made “in coordination with partners.”

Merz, who began his term as German Chancellor on May 6, emphasized that Germany would not abandon its commitment to support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Merz stated that this matter was in line with “common European interests,” adding, “This war not only threatens Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This war is trying to completely destroy Europe’s political order. Therefore, we stand with Ukraine.”

On the same day, the German government announced the delivery of various military supplies to the Ukrainian army, including 66 mine-resistant armored vehicles, approximately 50,000 artillery rounds, and ammunition for IRIS-T air defense systems.

Earlier, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbok had announced that Berlin would provide more than 11 billion euros in military aid to Kyiv by 2029, with 3 billion euros of this amount to be given within this year.

Additionally, by the end of 2025, four IRIS-T air defense systems and 300 rounds for them, 30 Patriot missiles, 15 Leopard 1 tanks, 25 Marder combat vehicles, and 100,000 artillery rounds will be delivered to Ukraine.

According to sources of The New York Times, the possibility of Germany sending US-made Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv is also being discussed with the US.

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