Ukraine crisis: Germany under fire as Scholz travels to Kyiv | DW News

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, amid growing fears of an imminent Russian invasion. Meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Scholz is expected to offer Ukraine more economic support, but no weapons. The visit comes as staff from the Organisation for Security and Economic Cooperation pulled out of the eastern rebel-held city of Donetsk. They had been monitoring the conflict there. Western intelligence sources say Russia now has more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine's borders.
Germany's new chancellor is coming to Kyiv at a time of unprecedented tensions, not just between Ukraine and Russia, but also between friends, with Kyiv accusing Berlin of sitting on the fence as Ukraine prepares its bomb shelters and foreign embassies evacuate their staff.
Berlin's refusal to follow the lead taken by the US in supplying Ukraine with defensive weapons is Kyiv's number one complaint. Where other countries have provided anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition, Germany has offered to send five thousand helmets - an announcement that provoked amusement and anger in equal measure.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany is the other major point of contention. The pipeline is complete but has yet to be commissioned - and Ukraine hopes it never will be. Ukraine says the pipeline would allow Russia to supply its gas customers in Western Europe without the need for Ukraine’s pipeline network - allowing the Kremlin to destabilize Ukraine.
Ukraine wants it canceled immediately - as a pre-emptive sanction to show Moscow that the West means business, while Berlin refuses to spell out in public what exactly it would do if Russia were to invade. Berlin calls it tactical ambiguity, Kyiv suspects Germany of trying to salvage a lucrative business project, regardless of the security implications.
With no sign for now that Germany is willing to give any ground either on weapons or on mothballing Nord Stream 2, Olaf Scholz has his work cut out to convince his Ukrainian hosts that he has their interests at heart - and that they can trust him to negotiate a way out of this crisis when he goes to Moscow.

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[mathejoh]

“Sorry Ukraine, the gas line is too important”. -Germany

[nthitman]

Dont worry. The helmets that Germany sent was Thor-graded weapon. You can throw them to tanks.

[debayanbhattacharya]

It goes to show: there are no friendships in geopolitics. There's only common interest

[lettucesalad]

Germany: Here's some money and a helmet, - now my little Ukraine go outside and play, watch out for Putin.

[AlatarIstari]

In 1939 Great Britain stopped Poland from mobilizing it's troops because "it would provoke Germany to attack". Just saying.

[MMOStein]

Every time I hear "5000 helmets" I LOL harder.

[AllGuitarSucks]

One of worlds largest weapons export country and they just send helmets ....

[Sam-kqzt]

"Without actually having Ukraine's back, how can Germany convince Ukraine they have their back?"

[titaniumsandwedge]

Germany's answer to request for arms is based on Nord 1 and Nord 2, nat gas pipelines from Russia.

[greyfells]

it's time for Germany to decide if it stands with Europe

[bigfudge]

I think it's clear Germany doesn't really believe Russia will actually go through with their threats and Germany are trying not to damage any relationship with Russia during this period.

[checkmates_only]

Yes.. they are very cautious indeed. 🙏🏼

[acemarcola]

You’ve traded your allies for cheap gas. Germany will have political and financial implications. Germany will pay

[eurotwink]

I’m not German but as a voter and a student on minimal income, I would rather pay more for my gas bill if it meant my government was doing what was just to promote peace.

[cheminamgyal]

As America and EU countries advise its citizens to leave Ukraine, I feel so much of pain for the Ukrainian people. And as scenario unfolds I come to conclusion that the North Korea's desire to build nuclear weapon as a deterrence makes lots of sense. End of the day, there is no one to defend you if powerful and aggressive nation attacks u. I just don't wanna read and watch another diary of a young girl.

[Raptorst]

Ukraine : help! the russians are coming!
Germany - sends 5000 helmets
Ukraine : We have lost half of our army to the russians... :(
Germany - sends 5000 coffins

[miskaknapek]

Thanks for the good and critical coverage.

[ibrahimbinngahfab]

War is the business and interest of few, the reality is that neither ordinary people nor army want to die for nothing. War is nothing then the stupidity and stubbornity of those in power

[matthewbaynham]

That phrase "historic reasons" that would be a reference to World War 2.

I'm British and living in Germany, my German friends have said that Germans don't want war because of the World War 2. Well I think all western nations should fight because of the lessons of World War 2.

Britain joined World War 2 because Poland was invaded. World War 2 wasn't started in one day, little by little Germany invade a bit here and a bit there and when Poland was invade that was too much for Britain and France.

Clearly Putin has already taken a little bit of land with Crimea and now Putin wants to take some more land. Just a little bit here and a little bit there. He needs to be stopped now. If the West doesn't stop Putin then he will not stop he will just keep taking a little bit of land here and there. Then it's too late.

[Doochos]

I think Germany has some experience of being invaded by Russia