Germany experiencing difficulties with supply of weapons to Ukraine – FM

KYIV. Aug 25 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The continuation of German arms supplies to Ukraine is complicated by the fact that the Bundeswehr is experiencing a shortage of its own equipment, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in an interview with ZDF.

"Further supplies of weapons from Germany will not be easy," said Baerbock. The reason is the insufficient equipment of their own troops," the TV channel reports.

"Unfortunately, our situation is such that we have an absolute shortage of our own reserves," the minister said.

According to her, as a result, the German defense industry had to produce equipment specifically for Ukraine. At the same time, Baerbok announced the need for new arms supplies to Kyiv in the fall and that Germany will soon transfer Irris-T air defense systems to Ukraine.

In addition, the German Foreign Minister mentioned the deterioration of Germany’s relations with the countries of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, which has been observed in recent years. According to her estimates, one of the reasons was the disagreement of the countries over the Nord Stream 2 project. At the same time, she clarified, difficulties arose during the transfer of German weapons to Eastern European countries, which in return had to send replaced older weapons to Ukraine. Baerbock added that the supply of German heavy weapons to Eastern Europe was "hesitant."