NewsUkrainians are waiting for weapons. German minister warns US

Ukrainians are waiting for weapons. German minister warns US

The Ukrainian army is starting to run out of ammunition.
The Ukrainian army is starting to run out of ammunition.
Images source: © Getty Images | 2024 Anadolu

8:36 AM EST, February 18, 2024

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius urged American lawmakers to approve additional military help for Ukraine, as reported by Bloomberg. Across the Atlantic, internal political disagreements among Republicans and Democrats have resulted in a lack of consensus on aid not only for Ukraine, but also for Israel and Taiwan.

Defense minister warns Americans

Pistorius cautioned that neglecting to aid beleaguered Ukrainians could damage American economic interests. During an interview at the Munich Security Conference, Pistorius made it clear that unopposed aggression from the Kremlin could potentially weaken Europe and disrupt trade relations with the world's largest economy— Bloomberg reports.

The German defense minister highlighted that transatlantic cooperation involves hundreds of contracts valued in the billions of dollars. He stated the intention to establish new agreements and underscored that the alliance for security is mutually beneficial.

He also warned about the repercussions of a potential defeat in Ukraine, not only for Europe but also for the US. He noted that the invasion by Russian President Vladimir Putin poses a threat to an "international order based on principles." He impressed upon listeners that although Europe is geographically distant from states like Iowa or Wisconsin, it is much closer in terms of security policy. He highlighted that decreased security in Europe means less security for the United States.

Pistorius stressed the need not to take freedom for granted; it must be defended and fought for if necessary.

American politicians' disagreement

The US Senate approved an aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan amounting to 95 billion dollars. The Senate has forwarded the package to the Republican-majority House of Representatives, where it faces a tougher path to approval.

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