The former president of Germany and current Prime Minister of Bavaria has demanded that the country do more to help Ukraine xin its war against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Markus Soder has called on his country to donate Taurus missiles to the Ukrainian government to strengthen its military capabilities.
NEXTA reported on Twitter/X he said that the Taurus missiles could be used to “fend off constant drone and missile attacks” that have killed hundreds of Ukrainians since the war began.
Mr Soder added that he believed German ministers were being overly cautious in how they handled the conflict occurring just a few hundred miles from Berlin.
Mr Soder warned: “I look at what we are doing with concern and ask whether our support is sufficient.”
Germany’s commitment to helping Ukraine has been under scrutiny for months and at the end of 2023 there were rumours the country could reduce its funding for the war.
According to reports, Germany wants to reduce the amount of money it gives to a European fund, the European Peace Facility (EPF) that fuels the war effort.
Ministers have argued that the EPF should take into account the aid that has already been given a document leaked to the Daily Telegraph said.
The paper also says that “in kind” contributions need to be “fully credited against a member state’s agreed contributions to the Ukraine envelope”.
Germany is believed to contribute around 25 percent of the EPF’s funds at this time, with any reduction having a significant impact on Kyiv’s war effort.
In a statement following the news, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told AP: “Look, we are not backing down, I am satisfied.
“We are fighting against the second-best army in the world: I am satisfied. We are losing people: I’m not satisfied. We didn’t get all the weapons we wanted: I can’t be satisfied, but I also can’t complain too much.”
Should Germany decide to contribute its Taurus missiles to the Ukrainian military, it would increase their aerial security days after more missiles struck the country’s major cities.
As well as threats from above, Ukrainian citizens have also faced threats from within. Footage shared on X/Twitter showed the moment a Russian bomb exploded in a Ukrainian hospital.
The caption next to the video said: “Russia will continue destroying hospitals and targeting healthcare workers because they do not want Ukrainians to receive medical care.
“Basic #genocide math: Create as many injuries/illnesses as possible and remove the means to treat them.”
