Despite that, the future of Ukraine’s successful defense “also depends on the United States,” the chancellor said, as he urged the U.S. Congress to approve a new multibillion-dollar aid package for Kyiv.
Scholz also said that Germany was ramping up arms production to not only better support Ukraine but also ensure its own security.
“If we have to defend ourselves, we must be able to do so from our own resources,” he said. “What we’re doing now because of Ukraine is also an important commitment to our own security and future.”
France provided a “non-exhaustive” run-down of its aid to Ukraine in a document seen by POLITICO. According to the French presidency, since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Paris has provided Kyiv with five Mistral air defense systems, 30 Caesar Cannons, “about 100” Scalp long-range missiles and 38 armored reconnaissance AMX 10 RC tanks.
The Elysée also said it had sent “many hundreds” of drones, millions of rounds of ammunition and thousands of rifles, rockets and antitank landmines, as well jet fuel, other armored vehicles and additional missiles and air and ground defense systems. It also has provided €2.2 billion in “bilateral civil aid,” including humanitarian and legal aid, according to the document.
The security deals come in the wake of pledges made at a NATO summit in Vilnius last July. Instead of offering a direct path to NATO membership, G7 countries pledged to sign bilateral security deals with Kyiv to signal their long-term support in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
