Too slow, too little: the brother of Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko is campaigning in Berlin for more support for Ukraine. Finally, Leopard 2 main battle tanks should also be delivered.
Ex-heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko has urged the federal government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to do more quickly with arms deliveries to Ukraine. “We can only stop this war and stop Russia with modern weapons, with modern technology,” said the 46-year-old on Thursday in an interview with the German Press Agency in Berlin. It is therefore necessary that Leopard 2 main battle tanks are supplied and also Marder-type armored personnel carriers. “The West, this free world, is moving far too slowly,” complained Klitschko.
“Germany must show its colors”
When asked whether the federal government should do more for Ukraine’s membership of the EU and NATO, Klitschko said that Germany had to do more for many things. “Germany is the center, the engine – not just the economic engine – of the European Union,” and also of the world. The Germans must have the courage to recognize this. The EU looks at how Germany reacts. “That’s why it’s very important to show your colors,” Klitschko demanded of the federal government. Germany must act more quickly and should “not just talk about it”.
Chancellor Scholz promised Ukraine further support. “We will provide more weapons,” he said in Potsdam. “We will maintain this support (…) reliably and for as long as necessary.” This will continue to be done in close coordination with European and international partners. Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) announced on Thursday that she would deliver two more Mars multiple rocket launchers and 50 Dingo armored vehicles to Ukraine. “These are very relevant weapons now that the battle is taking place in eastern Ukraine,” said Scholz. “This also applies to our self-propelled howitzers, air defense and the Gepard tank, this also applies to the Iris-T defense system, which we will deliver from the latest production.”
The weapons that Germany has already delivered are good, said Klitschko. Germany, Europe and the free world supported Ukraine. “But on the other hand, what we need is not given,” he complained. “And the longer the war drags on, the more people we lose,” the more infrastructure is destroyed. In addition, the danger emanating from the five nuclear power plants in Ukraine is growing.
Klitschko complained that when German politicians traveled to Ukraine, they saw with their own eyes what Russian President Vladimir Putin was doing with his war of aggression. “And yet we don’t get what we need in a war.”
Klitschko: Our will is made of steel
In view of the success of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, Klitschko stressed that his country would continue to fight as long as it could. “Our will is made of steel,” he said. “Just please don’t look the other way and don’t ignore us when we ask for help and support” – just as the West did eight years ago, for example after Russia annexed the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea. At that time, people “heard and looked the other way, with no consequences for Russia.” If Russia is not stopped, Moscow will carry on. “Poland, East Germany, who knows,” he warned.
When asked if he was willing to mediate in future negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Klitschko reluctantly replied: “I have no official position.” He is not in any party, he is not a politician. “Basically, I’m an activist. Not even legitimate, so I wasn’t elected.”
Support for limited visa waivers for Russians
The ex-boxing world champion supported the restriction of visa freedom for Russians in Europe. “How can these people enjoy the German mountains while their military people are destroying cities?” he said. “How can it be that in the Côte d’Azur, in Saint-Tropez, the Russians who are behind the propaganda are popping corks and enjoying life, while their people are massacring in Bucha and Mariupol? Raping women and children, destroy life.”
Since Monday, Russian citizens have no longer benefited from the simplified issuing of visas for trips to Germany and other countries in the Schengen area. The agreement concluded between the EU and Russia to facilitate the issuing of visas has now been completely suspended for Russian citizens following a decision by the EU states last week.
Media award on behalf of the Ukrainian people
The former world boxing champion was presented with the M100 Media Award in Potsdam on behalf of the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian people have been defending themselves “for months with iron steadfastness against the brutal invasion of Russia” and are defending their freedom and sovereignty on European soil, the organizers wrote in explanation. Klitschko referred to the importance of Ukraine’s fight against the Russian attack for the western world: “We fight for everyone here and everyone in the so-called free world,” he said after the award ceremony. His brother Vitali, Mayor of Kyiv, received the M100 Media Award in 2014 as a representative of all democratic movements in Ukraine.
Source: Stern
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