Germany sends field hospital to Ukraine, no weapons | Abroad

Lambrecht said every effort should be made to ease tensions with Russia over Ukraine and that it would not help if Germany sends arms to Ukraine. She added that Germany is already supporting Ukraine in other ways, including by sending respirators. The minister also said that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which goes from Russia to Germany, will not be used if Russia attacks Ukraine.

Unlike Germany, the Netherlands is sympathetic to the supply of defensive weapons to Ukraine. Minister Wopke Hoekstra (Foreign Affairs) announced this on Thursday. A few months ago, the government did not want to do that. It is unknown what equipment the Ukrainians have requested.

Tensions between Russia and the West have been running high over the conflict in Ukraine. A civil war has been raging in the east of the country since 2014. Russia has been trying to place many troops close to the Ukrainian border since late last year. NATO countries fear a Russian invasion. Recently, several Western leaders have expressed support for Ukraine and warned the Kremlin of the consequences of a raid.

Moscow argues that for the de-escalation of the conflict, two important requirements must be met. NATO troops must withdraw from NATO member states Romania and Bulgaria and Ukraine must not join the military alliance. Lambrecht told Welt am Sonntag that it is not up to Russia to veto which countries can join NATO. “Any sovereign nation that shares our values ​​is free to apply for membership. But beyond this red line, there is the willingness of the West to talk to Russia about its interests and take them into account,” Lambrecht said.

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