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Angela Merkel’s ex-advisor opposes shipping heavy weapons to Ukraine

If Europe does not want World War III, it will have to sooner or later "escape this logic of military escalation and begin negotiations," retired Brigade General Erich Vad underscored

BERLIN, April 12. /TASS/. Former advisor on military policy to German ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, retired Brigade General Erich Vad spoke against shipping heavy weapons to Ukraine.

"This kind of shipments are potential a way to the World War III," Vad told DPA Tuesday.

He added that it is only possible to drive and use complex weapon systems, such as Leopard battle tanks or Marder armored vehicles, after many years of training. Therefore, according to Vad, they will not benefit Ukrainian forces, not now, not in foreseeable future.

According to the retired General, if Europe does not want World War III, it will have to sooner or later "escape this logic of military escalation and begin negotiations."

"The chances for negotiations are actually not bad," Vad said, adding that the sides of the conflict should choose dialogue instead of "allowing being pulled even further into the mire of long war with uncertain outcome."

Shipments of heavy weapons

On Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock opined at the EU Ministerial meeting in Luxembourg that Kiev needs heavy weapons and that now is not the time for excuses in this matter.

On Monday, head of Germany’s Rheinmetall Armin Papperger told the Handelsblatt that the company plans to ship up to 50 used Leopard 1 battle tanks and up to 60 decommissioned Marder armored vehicles. He expressed his certainty that Ukrainian soldiers can be trained to drive the Leopard 1 in mere days.

On February 26, German government approved arms shipments to Ukraine. Berlin made a decision to ship 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger man-portable air defense systems. On March 14, German authorities stated that they decided not to provide information about arms shipments to Ukraine in order to avoid additional risks.

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Ukraine crisis Ukraine Germany

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