German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock criticized her government’s slow pace in providing military aid to Ukraine, condemning both current and previous administrations for their hesitance and policies that fostered dependence on Russia.
(Berlin) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock has expressed strong criticism of her own government’s delayed response in offering military aid to Ukraine. She also targeted the policies of previous administrations, which, according to her, fostered an over-reliance on Russian energy. Her comments, reported by Politico and cited by UNN, come as Germany faces increasing pressure to accelerate its support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing war.
Burbock’s criticism extends to the government’s indecision, particularly regarding a €3 billion military aid package, which she has actively supported. She pointed out that such hesitation risks undermining trust between Germany and its European allies. In her view, Germany should take a more decisive role in assisting Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of faster decision-making.
“The government should act more quickly, particularly in approving the aid package,” Burbock said, stressing that the delay weakens Germany’s standing on the international stage. According to her, the current hesitation stands in stark contrast to the leadership Germany once enjoyed in shaping European peace policy.
Burbock also condemned the policies of former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, particularly the decision to proceed with the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. She argued that the pipeline was more than just an economic initiative and contributed to Germany’s vulnerability by increasing its dependence on Russian energy supplies. The ongoing sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea further highlights the dangers of this dependency, Burbock suggested, drawing a direct connection between the damaged cables and Russian involvement.
Reflecting on the broader defense strategy, Burbock called for increased military spending, urging Germany to surpass the 2% of GDP threshold for defense, with the possibility of expanding it to 3% in times of crisis. This recommendation aligns with her belief that Germany’s defense capabilities must be reinforced in order to respond more effectively to global threats.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Defense Minister reassured the public that support for Ukraine would remain stable, regardless of any potential changes in the government. However, ongoing negotiations about the €3 billion aid package have been delayed due to budgetary constraints.
