German parliament backs supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine

BERLIN

German lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday backing the government’s new policy of supplying “heavy weapons” to Ukraine.

The resolution was approved by 586 votes to 100, with seven abstentions.

Germany’s main opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) voted in favor of the resolution, which was initiated by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrat Party (SPD), its coalition partners the Greens and the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).

The socialist Left Party voted against the resolution, sharply criticizing the SPD-led coalition government of policy zig-zags, and warning that supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine would not end the conflict, but increase the risk of a nuclear war.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmakers also voted against the resolution.

Germany had long maintained a cautious policy and ruled out supplying weapons to Ukraine, pointing out to the country’s restrictive arms export policy, which did not allow sending weapons to conflict regions.

But the government has reversed its policy following Russia’s war on Ukraine, and beginning from this week it also started to approve delivery of heavy weapons to the country.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht told reporters on Tuesday that they will deliver Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, and will continue to “explore all possibilities” to further support the Ukrainian military, together with the US and other NATO allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on Germany to supply heavy weapons to his country, including tanks, artillery and air defense systems.