The German government announced on Saturday that it will send weapons and other supplies directly to Ukraine, which is fighting to keep Russia from invading its capital city.
According to officials, Germany is also willing to support some restrictions on the SWIFT global banking system for Russia.
Germany's chancellery announced Saturday evening that 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 "Stinger" surface-to-air missiles would be sent to Ukraine "as soon as possible."
"The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a watershed moment. It jeopardises our entire postwar order "In a statement, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. "In this situation, it is our duty to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Vladimir Putin's invading army to the best of our ability."
The announcement came shortly after Germany's economy and climate ministry said in a statement Saturday evening that it is allowing the Netherlands to ship 400 German-made anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. The government has also authorised the shipment of nine D-30 howitzers and ammunition from Estonia.
Germany had long maintained a policy of not exporting lethal weapons to conflict zones such as Ukraine. Even as recently as Friday, government officials stated that they would follow the policy.
However, the country, which has the largest economy in the 27-nation European Union, has been chastised by Ukrainian officials and other allies for failing to act decisively enough to assist Ukraine in repelling the Russian invasion. Germany previously donated 5,000 helmets to Ukraine's defence, a move that was mocked on Twitter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Scholz on Twitter after learning of the weapons shipments: "Keep up the good work, Chancellor @OlafScholz! The anti-war coalition is at work!"
Furthermore, Germany's economy and climate ministry announced on Saturday that it will send 14 armoured vehicles and up to 10,000 tonnes of fuel to Ukraine.
"Ukraine must be able to defend itself after Russia's shameless attack," Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a joint statement. "As a result, the federal government is assisting Ukraine in providing urgently needed material."
After previously opposing the possibility of barring Russia from the SWIFT global financial system, Baerbock and Habeck now say Germany supports a "targeted and functional restriction" of SWIFT.
A strategy is required to "limit the collateral damage of decoupling from SWIFT in such a way that it affects the right people," according to Baerbock and Habeck.
Separately, the US announced $350 million in aid to Ukraine on Saturday, bringing the total amount of security assistance to $1 billion since President Joe Biden took office.
According to John Kirby, the Pentagon's press secretary, the additional aid includes "anti-armour, small arms and various munitions, body armour and related equipment."
According to a senior defence official, the assistance, which includes Javelin anti-tank weapons, will be delivered to Ukraine in stages as soon as possible. To discuss internal planning, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Other countries have pledged military assistance. Italy announced earlier this week that it will send nonlethal military equipment such as demining equipment and soldier protection devices.
Ukraine's requests for equipment are being studied, according to France. According to Herve Grandjean, spokesman for the Ministry of Armies, France supplied Ukraine with 100 million euros in arms prior to the invasion, including short-range defensive missiles.
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