Germany urges EU countries to step up arms deliveries to Ukraine

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday called on the EU countries to step up their arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels ahead of an extraordinary EU summit, Scholz said military pledges by EU partners have been far from being enough, while Ukraine urgently needs more weapons.

“The discussion must start immediately because we know that what has been planned so far, including concrete arms deliveries from the individual EU member states, is not enough,” he said.

Scholz underlined that Germany has decided to provide Ukraine with more than €7 billion ($7.6 billion) worth of weapons alone this year.

“But pledges made by the European Union as a whole are not enough. Now, we’ll have an opportunity to talk about this, I’m glad for that. Today is not the day for a decision on this matter. But each of us must look into this, see what additional contribution we can make so that we can reach an understanding,” he said.

Scholz added that today’s main discussions will focus on the EU’s long-term financial support for Ukraine for 2024-2027, and expressed hope that the 27 member states will be able to make a decision on the package.

“This is about €12 billion ($13 billion) every year, made up of loans and direct grants, a total of €50 billion ($54 billion) by the end of the financial period, and that is also urgently needed,” he said.

In December, the EU leaders could not agree on the Ukraine aid package due to opposition from Hungary.