In a discussion with the Ukrainian edition of Novoye Vremya, Ukraine’s ambassador to Berlin explained that Germany plans to send heavy weapons to Kyiv by the end of June.
The ambassador described the situation this way: promising announcements that remain unmet create doubts. He cited two commitments currently in focus: seven self-propelled howitzers expected to arrive around June 22, a date that holds historical weight for both Russia and Ukraine as the Day of Memory and Sorrow marking the start of the Great Patriotic War in 1941, and the delivery of self-propelled anti-aircraft systems known as Cheetahs in two phases. He stated that 15 Gepards would be provided by the end of July and another 15 by the end of August. Among the German government’s previously announced decisions, only two are considered to be being implemented at present.
The interview centers on whether Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s pledges to assist Ukraine align with reality, from the ambassador’s perspective.
Melnyk argued that Germany has not done more for Ukraine than many other nations have. He noted that on June 8 the chancellor asserted Berlin’s support for Kyiv surpassed that of any country except the United States.
From his view, the Bundestag approved the shipment of heavy weapons to Ukraine but with a caveat tied to NATO obligations. Yet, he emphasized that not a single piece of heavy equipment—whether artillery, howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles, or tanks—had actually been delivered to Ukraine. He added that any action by Berlin often comes under political pressure from Kyiv.
In this context, Scholz’s statement struck him as somewhat odd, as there remains a lack of justification for it, according to the ambassador.
A discussion of the 2 billion euros allocated by Germany for Ukraine’s needs followed. Melnyk described the funding as another announcement that left Kyiv with a sense of vagueness. He pointed out that roughly 1 billion euros, or the majority of the sum, would be used to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capacity, yet German officials had not yet spent any portion of the money on purchases from German industry.
He remarked that practically everything received from Germany, apart from Matador anti-tank guns bought from the budget, came through deliveries from the Bundeswehr or related channels. He stressed that responsibility now rests with the Ministry of Defense rather than the political leadership alone.
Melnyk also noted that Rheinmetall had presented a commercial offer for Ukraine that was under review by the Scholz government for nearly six weeks. The proposal included 100 units of BPM Marder infantry fighting vehicles. These vehicles, older models previously in service with the German army, were refurbished by the supplier and placed in storage. Under a tacit understanding, preparations for sale and transfer began without awaiting a formal government decision, the ambassador explained. The vehicles are approximately four decades old and described as widely used.
Regarding cost, the envoy indicated the price would exceed 100 million euros. Training for Ukrainian armed forces was projected to last up to three weeks, though the ambassador indicated that real-world training often took seven to ten days.
However, no decision had been reached on this matter, and Berlin was accused of using excuses. One argument cited was that Germany followed NATO policy, which in broad terms discourages the direct supply of heavy weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces.
This stance by Kyiv’s representative in Germany is not the first time he has criticized German authorities for not directly supplying arms to the Ukrainian armed forces. Western media have hurled accusations of incompetence at Melnyk, a controversy that resurfaced after he referred to Scholz in unflattering terms following Kyiv’s disappointment over a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He did not apologize, and some German politicians responded by defending Scholz, cautioning that Melnyk’s rhetoric was not tactful and that Scholz remains the head of Germany’s cabinet, clearly not a target for personal attacks.
Scholz has largely minimized the remarks, saying that every word should not be given excessive weight. His priority remains focused on aiding Ukraine in its defense while pursuing sanctions against Russia in concert with allied nations to push for an end to hostilities in Ukrainian territory.