German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has approved a 2% increase in the budget for the German armed forces in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine

Europe sends "unprecedented" military aid to Ukraine

photo_camera PHOTO/FILE - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

EU countries are moving away from their more pacifist stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin's relentless offensives have prompted the West to react by stepping up military and economic aid to Ukraine.

Germany has taken the first step. This morning German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced an "extraordinary item" of 100 billion euros for the German armed forces. For the chancellor, the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops marked a turning point. He told an extraordinary session of the Bundestag: "Russia's aggression against Ukraine marks a change of era. It threatens our entire post-war order. In this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against Vladimir Putin's invading army. 

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In addition, Scholz said he will increase "annual investment of more than two percent of gross domestic product in defence" and defends the need for an "efficient, state-of-the-art and advanced Bundeswehr" armed forces to protect the country.

Among this modernisation he would highlight "better equipment, modern equipment and military training, that costs a lot of money", he says. "What is clear," he concludes, "is that the country must invest more in its security in order to protect freedom and democracy. 

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According to statements reported by EFE, the German leader stressed that "whatever is necessary to guarantee peace in Europe will be done", and Germany will be supportive in its contribution, for which, however, the Bundeswehr needs "new and great capabilities".

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described on her Twitter account that, for these reasons, "we will help the Ukrainian soldiers fighting for their country with anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles". Specifically, Germany will send 1,000 anti-tank grenade launchers and 500 Stinger missiles in case of emergency use. 

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Following in Germany's footsteps, countries such as the Netherlands, Australia and the United States have announced a new arms shipment to continue contributing to Ukraine's resistance effort against Russia. In this context, the United States also announced this morning that it had authorised the delivery of weapons valued at 350 million dollars. The Netherlands has also announced "the deployment of 400 rockets and 50 Panzerfaust-3 anti-tank weapons".

Australia has also announced its support for Ukraine, stating that it will finance the supply of lethal weapons to Kiev, without specifying further details. NATO has also begun deploying additional forces to Eastern Europe "to respond rapidly to any contingency". 

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Following this reaction from the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin has put his nuclear forces on alert. According to the Russian leader, "the leaders of the main NATO countries are making aggressive statements about us. So I am ordering Russia's deterrent forces to be moved to high alert mode. Putin also referred to the economic sanctions adopted by the EU, calling them "illegitimate".

This threat is putting the world on edge and setting off alarm bells. Some experts claim that this statement is part of "waging psychological warfare". However, NATO's Secretary General says that "this is dangerous rhetoric. It is irresponsible behaviour. 

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In the United States, these statements by Putin have been taken as "a threat" that responds to the Russian leader's strategy of sowing chaos. In this context, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told ABC that this move "is a pattern of President Putin's that we have seen throughout this conflict: fabricating threats that do not exist in order to justify more aggression".

 Airspace closure

Twenty countries, including Spain, have announced the closure of their airspace to Russian aircraft. This action is a form of rejection of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

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These countries also include Germany, France, the UK, Italy (a country with important trade links) and even Canada. For its part, Russia has banned flights within its territory from Poland, Slovenia and Bulgaria.

In Madrid, the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda has stated in a press release that "Spain will close its airspace to Russian airlines. Following the cooperation guidelines set by the European Union, this measure will have effects on flights operated by Russian airlines using Spanish airspace".

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