A+ A-

Germany to supply Ukraine with IRIS-T air defense system

BERLIN, June 1 (KUNA) -- Germany will be sending Ukraine IRIS-T air defense system as part of a supply of heavy weapons aiming to help Kyiv fend off Russia's military onslaught, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.
The move comes in response to mounting pleas from Ukraine for a faster delivery of heavy weapons, ultimately enabling Kyiv to defend itself against the much larger and more equipped Russian military, Scholz told parliament.
As the European Union (EU) continues to stiffen sanctions against Russia since the start of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, he told lawmakers in the Bundestag that Germany would forgo Russian energy sources "as soon as possible." He went on to allay national concerns over energy supply, saying Berlin would be able to fulfill all of its electricity needs by relying on renewable sources. (end) anj.nam