During the NATO summit in Washington, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outlined the support provided to Ukraine so far with systems for air defense as an "important step", DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Before the start of the NATO summit yesterday, the United States, Germany and other allies had promised Ukraine five defense systems against Russian airstrikes. Kyiv requested seven additional systems in April, so its needs are not yet covered, DPA notes.
Berlin has already delivered three systems "Patriot" and he is counting on other NATO countries to follow his example. "Germany has taken a big step to encourage others to realize that this is necessary," Scholz stressed. “We can safely say: "Without Germany's leading role, this step would not have been taken now,", he added.
Scholz also emphasized that he considers the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO sufficient, which should be presented in a joint declaration of the 32 member countries of the alliance.
At the same time, he emphasized the prospect of providing additional assistance. "In my opinion, this process is not finished," Scholz said today before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He is sure that this will "give Ukraine the degree of clarity it needs to be able to rely on," he said. "And that is why I believe it will be a great success and a sign of unity," he added.
In the NATO declaration, which has not yet been finalized, Ukraine's accession process will be described as "irreversible," Scholz said.