German minister admits Berlin sending outdated weapons to Ukraine for Russian war: Report
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has reportedly admitted that Berlin had occasionally sent outdated or almost non-functional military equipment to Ukraine.
"It does not only help to promise, and then you cannot deliver, or deliver things which do not work ... Some of our systems were really old-fashioned," Baerbock said in an interview with US media, according to Sputnik news agency.
“So, because we know and we said that in the beginning, some are not really functioning, when we deliver, it does have to work in the field,” she was quoted as saying.
Germany second-largest supplier of arms aid to Ukraine
Recently, Ukraine had refused to accept a batch of 10 archaic Leopard-1A5 from Germany on the grounds that these tanks required extensive repair work, the German publication Spiegelreported.
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry said that the repair and maintenance work would require spare parts and technical expertise that Kyiv does not have.
)
NZ female politician joins meeting from bathroom with underwear hanging - 'You can see my washing, you can see me'
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
‘Certain munitions are unlimited, others...’: Did Trump admit some US weapons supplies were limited?
)
Michael 2 plans revealed: Makers to start filming soon with THIS release window
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
High-profile tennis club kills its long-term resident geese for pooping on the court
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Jos Buttler to Kieron Pollard, 5 highest run-scorers in T20 cricket
)
Zendaya and Tom Holland celebrate their marriage with private reception in England
)
France offers deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, with 94 to be made in India
)
At least 4 killed 15 injured in shooting at school near Bangkok
)
Pakistan inks defence pact with Somalia amid Houthi threat in Bab al-Mandab | Gravitas
)
The Paradise teaser: Nani's intense avatar and stunning visuals impress fans; new release date announced
)
Several Indian states ban analogue paneer: Experts explain what it is and the health risks | WION Decodes
)
Who is Abhay Kumar Tiwari? The alleged mastermind of Jharkhand exam paper leaks
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
At least 30 Yemeni troops killed in Houthi missile and drone attacks; toll may go up
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
'Massive attack coming... wait, never mind': Iran mocks US 'theatre diplomacy,' rejects Trump's claim of Hormuz progress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
US may force more visa applicants to make social media accounts public under Trump's new plan
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
)
Born in the USA? Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
Secret weapon test blamed for US plane crash that killed four | Gravitas
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
'I would like to support...': Sonam Wangchuk reveals if he will join Jharkhand student protesters in Ranchi
Though initially late in responding to Ukraine’s demand for military aid, Germany has slowly become the second-largest contributor of arms aid to Ukraine.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy report, till July 2023, Germany has sent military aid worth $18.9 billion, second only to the United States which has sent $ 46.6 billion worth of arms and military equipment.
In May this year, Berlin pledged to send a military aid package worth 2.7bn euros ($2.95bn), to show “that Germany is serious in its support” for Ukraine.
Poland’s tiff with Ukraine
The development comes after Poland, one of the most steadfast allies of Ukraine, refused to provide additional weaponry to Kyiv as a row over Ukrainian grain intensified.
Poland, along with Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, had banned the imports of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds in a bid to protect their domestic market.
The move angered Ukraine which threatened to sue these countries if they didn’t revoke their decision.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that his country had decided to prioritise its own defence in the future.
“We are no longer transferring weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland with more modern weapons,” he said.
In terms of exporting arms to Ukraine for the war, Poland has offered not more than 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE