15:39 26.04.2018

Berlin sees delivery of Javelin systems to Kyiv as precautionary measure in case of Russian attack

2 min read
Berlin sees delivery of Javelin systems to Kyiv as precautionary measure in case of Russian attack

The shipment of Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Ukraine by the United States would be a symbolic gesture and a safety precaution in case of a massive attack by Russia, German Ambassador to Ukraine Ernst Reichel said.

"Also, one also has to bear in mind that the weapons from the United States we are talking about now are weapons that have no direct relationship to the fighting which is ongoing in Donbas. The most quoted weaponry is the Javelin anti-tank missiles, but there is no tank battle in Donbas. So, you see, the provision of these weapons is symbolic and it is a precaution against an eventual, more massive attack. So, it is not a contribution to the direct solution of the conflict in Donbas," Reichel said in a joint interview he and French Ambassador to Ukraine Isabelle Dumont gave to Interfax-Ukraine.

He said Germany has a policy of not providing weapons into areas of tensions. "We don't want our weapons to be used in areas of conflict where people are being killed," the ambassador explained.

Dumont said she believes that the presence of a large amount of weapons in a conflict zone increases the risk of their use and insisted that the conflict in Donbas can only be settled politically.

"The will of Ukrainian authorities to get weapons to defend themselves is perfectly understandable in a complex situation. On the other hand, in any conflict providing more weapons naturally doesn't help to solve the conflict. The more weapons you have the more risk there is for them to be used. This is why on our side we are not supplying weapons. Defensive weapons are one thing, and obviously Ukraine should be able to defend its sovereignty," she said.

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