Chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee Armin Laschet has stated that Germany has provided the maximum possible support for Ukraine's air defense and currently has no additional reserves for new deliveries. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Berliner Zeitung. According to the politician, the federal government has already utilized all available channels and lacks the potential that could be rapidly mobilized for further support of Kyiv.
'No maneuvering room': Assessment of Bundeswehr and defense industry capabilities
Discussing what the Bundeswehr or the German defense industry could further do to prepare Ukraine's air defense for the winter period, Laschet responded succinctly: "In my view, there is no room for maneuvering." The politician emphasized that Berlin has already used all available instruments and sees no possibility of quickly mobilizing additional resources. "We have provided everything that was possible to support Ukraine," he summarized, effectively closing the topic of expanding air defense supplies in the near term.
Question of long-range weaponry: No direct answer given
Laschet was specifically asked about the prospects of supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory. The politician did not provide a direct answer, citing the stance of US President Donald Trump. According to Laschet, Trump has persistently urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to refrain from attacking Russian oil refineries and diesel production facilities. At the same time, Laschet acknowledged that the decision on target selection lies solely with the Ukrainian side: "We cannot give him advice on this."
Focus on de-escalation and maintaining Washington's support
Commenting on future dynamics, Laschet stated: "I believe we should focus on de-escalation." In his view, aggravating relations with the United States could damage Ukraine's interests, so it is critical for Kyiv to maintain Washington's support—primarily access to the Starlink satellite service and intelligence data. The politician added that he had already expressed his position on the need for restraint in target selection but emphasized Ukraine's sovereignty on this issue.
Context: Starlink limitations and Berlin's position
Laschet's statements came against the backdrop of recent restrictions on the Starlink satellite service in Ukraine. In recent days, the Defense Forces of Ukraine have been unable to use drones with speeds exceeding 160 km/h. Germany funds the Starshield satellite communications for the Ukrainian military; the current contract is set to run until April 2027. Kyiv, in turn, has requested that the speed limit be lifted and full system functionality be restored. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticized the imposed restrictions and called for their removal, emphasizing that since Germany pays for part of the Starlink equipment in Ukraine, it insists on its full utilization.
