German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has promised Ukraine further arms supplies, including the supply of small arms such as sniper rifles.
“We will make this possible without delay,” Pistorius said on Tuesday during a joint visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a military training area in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where Ukrainian soldiers are trained in Patriot air. defense system.
Support is also provided for anti-tank weapons, parts for artillery ammunition and in the field of drones and drone defense.
In addition, another 100 Patriot missiles will be delivered as part of a German initiative together with Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
A total of 32 have already been delivered and 68 more will follow in the coming weeks.
Pistorius pointed out that he had promised an aid package of almost 500 million euros a fortnight ago. The package includes wheeled howitzers, 350 drone systems, 300 artillery tubes and urgently needed ammunition for air defense.
Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the support and honored several Ukrainian soldiers, all of whom have combat experience in the war, with medals and awards.
Most of the soldiers trained on site come from temporarily occupied areas in Ukraine.
“They are motivated to train quickly, return to reclaim their homes and bring back victory,” said Zelensky, who arrived by helicopter from Berlin, where he was taking part in an international reconstruction conference for his country and then a speech held in the House of Representatives or Bundestag.
Germany had previously supplied Ukraine with two Patriot systems and associated missiles.
The Patriot air defense missile system can be used to combat enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The defense missiles can hit targets at a distance of about 100 kilometers to an altitude of up to 30 kilometers.
