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Germany has made good on its laughable vow to Ukraine to send 5,000 helmets to help them fight the Russians two days into the conflict, but there’s a catch… adding insult to injury, the Eastern European country will have to actually pick up the helmets so German truck drivers won’t be at risk.
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, called the offer from the Germans a joke and asked if they would be sending pillows next. Ukraine is in a full-scale war with Russia, but unlike the United States and other allies, Germany refused to send arms or “lethal aid” to the country so it can actually defend itself. Ukraine has called it a “betrayal of friends.”
“The behavior of the German government leaves me speechless,” Klitschko told German tabloid Bild in late January, according to Reuters. “The defense ministry apparently hasn’t realized that we are confronted with perfectly equipped Russian forces that can start another invasion of Ukraine at any time.”
“What kind of support will Germany send next?” he snarked. “Pillows?”
(Video Credit: Sky News)
US and NATO allies have been sending lethal aid such as anti-tank missiles. Ukraine originally requested that Germany send 100,000 helmets as well as protective vests. The fact that Germany is the world’s fourth-largest weapons exporter makes its token gesture of helmets even more of an insult.
Over a month after Germany Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht promised the helmets, two trucks are en route delivering them in a handoff just outside Ukraine, according to Der Spiegel on Friday.
Germany‘s 5000 helmets are finally on their way in two trucks. They will be given to the Ukrainian authorities outside their country, in order to avoid any risk for the German side, according to @dpa
— Lorenz Hemicker (@hemicker) February 25, 2022
Currently, Ukraine is under siege on three sides of the country. It is being attacked by Russia from Belarus to its north, its long Russian border, and from Crimea to its south. The US estimates that less than half of Russia’s full combat force has been employed so there is room for President Vladimir Putin to send in many more to crush the Ukrainians.
“We are standing on Kyiv’s side,” Lambrecht declared during an interview with Welt am Sonntag. “We have to do everything to de-escalate. Currently, arms deliveries would not be helpful in this respect; there is agreement on this in the German government.”
(Video Credit: WION)
The Germans are hiding behind an arms export policy to excuse the deplorable lack of support for Ukraine. The policy reportedly does not allow sending weapons to conflict regions.
Germany has imposed toothless economic sanctions against Russia that include halting the certification of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. But it is widely believed as European citizens suffer under the high costs of cutting off gas and fuel supplies from Russia to Germany, the pipeline will eventually go back online.
Notably, the helmets arrived the second day into the conflict as Russia now sets its sights on Kyiv after taking control of numerous cities and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. They have also taken over airports as Ukrainians blow up bridges and fight with every ounce of courage they have to keep the Russians at bay.
Germany’s lack of support for Ukraine and deference to Russia was obvious to many:
The wealthiest country in Europe is sending some helmets. They'll just need to be picked up. https://t.co/6To9ZI5Tir
— Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) February 25, 2022
Meanwhile Poland sent another transport to Ukraine, a little more then “2 trucks”.https://t.co/wV5ghQ4k3w
— Alex Frost (@alexmfrost) February 25, 2022
Suddenly the “German armed forces can only do defensive shit focused on Germany itself” rule seems not that helpful. https://t.co/hTc8gw7Usk
— Liz Mair (@LizMair) February 25, 2022
“Hey this is your Uber driver Rolf, I’m at the border of Poland and Ukraine with your order, can you come downstairs?” https://t.co/g5z9z9pPrC
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) February 25, 2022
Now, why, I recommend Germans to check it out because they’re next. And don’t they kid themselves that they aren’t.https://t.co/5IwwvptVT9
— cyberElster🇺🇦 (@cyberelster) February 25, 2022
Germany has been so embarrassing throughout all of this. Just terrible. https://t.co/1A5hMdQwkN
— Andrew Wagner (@andrewwagner) February 25, 2022
Thank you Germany. When you are next NATO will send you 5,000 helmets.https://t.co/VEPOaWCnK8
— The Ghost of Electricity (@TheGhostofElec1) February 25, 2022
— Zbigniew Pietrzak (@Gryziek67) February 26, 2022
By “risk” you mean German personnel wetting their pants?
— Arda Mevlutoglu (@orko_8) February 25, 2022
BREAKING: 5000 diapers are on their way to German officials according to sources
— Piotr Rzeczko 🇺🇦 (@PRzeczko) February 25, 2022
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