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Germany, Netherlands pledge more howitzers to Ukraine

June 28, 2022

The latest weapons pledges come after the first delivery of German heavy weapons arrived in Ukraine last week. Kyiv has urged for allies to send more modern weapons as Russia's invasion presses on.

https://p.dw.com/p/4DNif
Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region
Foreign howitzers are being frequently used by Ukrainian troops to fend off Russia's offensive Image: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky/picture alliance

Germany and the Netherlands will deliver six additional  self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht and her Dutch counterpart Kasja Ollongren announced on Tuesday in Madrid. 

The two officials made the announcement on the sidelines of the  NATO summit in the Spanish capital. Each of the two countries will provide three of the artillery weapons.

"We show our resolve and our commitment to Ukraine, and not to give in to this Russian aggression," Ollongren said. 

The first delivery of German heavy weaponry to Ukraine was completed last Tuesday, it included seven self-propelled howitzers.

NATO to boost troop numbers

The NATO summit is focused on Russia's war in Ukraine and generally increased aggression toward NATO members. Leaders are planning to discuss providing more material support to Ukraine.

The alliance is also planning to increase its number of high-alert troops from around 40,000 to 300,000 from next year as a response to the invasion.

Lambrecht said that Germany will provide some 15,000 soldiers, enough for a whole division, as well as around 65 planes and 20 ships.

"Germany is ready to do its share, NATO must be strong and this needs to show in troop numbers as well," Lambrecht told reporters.

ab, js/wd (Reuters, AFP, dpa)