German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on other European Union countries to enhance their support for Ukraine this year.
Following his meeting with Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, in Berlin on Monday, Scholz stated that “the planned arms shipments to Ukraine from most EU countries are, in any case, very limited.”
“I therefore call on our allies in the European Union to also step up their efforts in support of Ukraine. The arms deliveries for Ukraine planned so far by the majority of EU member states are by all means too small,” he said. “We need higher contributions.”
Scholz emphasized that by the upcoming European Union summit in early February at the latest, there should be a comprehensive view of the contribution European partners will provide to support Ukraine this year.
He added, “Europe must demonstrate its strong support for Ukraine, alongside freedom, international law, and European values.”
Scholz further noted that Germany currently considers itself the second most significant supporter of Ukraine after the United States.
He pointed out that Germany had previously prepared this year to supply arms and equipment worth 8 billion euros, in addition to financial and humanitarian aid in the billions of euros.
However, Scholz stressed that German contributions alone would not suffice to ensure Ukraine’s security.