Germany must support Ukraine counter-offensive, politicians say

Leading politicians in Germany's governing coalition have called for more support for the Ukrainian military offensive against Russian troops that is currently gaining momentum in parts of the country.

"Germany must immediately play its part in Ukraine's successes and supply protected vehicles - the Marder infantry fighting vehicle and the Leopard 2 main battle tank," the chairwoman of the defence committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, told dpa on Sunday.

Germany must assume a "leading role in Europe in the fight for democracy in peace and freedom," said the politician of the pro-business FDP, which is the junior partner in the German coalition, which also includes the centre-left SPD and the Greens.

"Certainly this is not the time for dithering and hesitation," she said. "The current military advance of the Ukrainian army and the first recaptured territories in the east of the country speak for Ukraine's fighting strength and unconditional will to take back its invaded country."

SPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth also spoke out in favour of quickly supporting the country with new weapons.

"In this new phase of the war, Ukraine needs weapons that will enable it to liberate territories occupied by Russia and keep them permanently under its control," the chairman of the foreign affairs committee told the Funke media group.

"The West, in particular the US, Germany, France and Poland, should quickly coordinate closely here and adapt its deliveries to the new situation," he said.

The recent successes of the Ukrainian army in the north-east and south of the country made it seem increasingly realistic "that Ukraine can win this war, and do so as a free, democratic country while preserving its territorial integrity," Roth said.

The Greens' defence expert Agnieszka Brugger spoke out in favour of increasing arms deliveries. Germany should do "everything possible" in the areas of air defence, protected transport, artillery and protective equipment, said the vice chairwoman of the Greens' parliamentary group.

"All options must be put to the test once again without thinking twice, because these are decisive months for the people in Ukraine and for order on our continent," she said.

The CDU's foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter expressed similar views on behalf of the opposition.

"For the counter-offensive to be successful in the long term and for Ukraine to hold its territory, it needs all the military support possible now," he told Funke.