War in Ukraine. Berlin criticizes Switzerland’s refusal to supply ammunition to Kiev

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said nounderstand“Switzerland’s refusal to supply Swiss munitions for the Gepard anti-aircraft armored vehicles that Germany is supplying to Ukraine so that it can defend itself against a Russian invasion,” in an interview published Wednesday, February 15.

“Some countries have ammunition, however, for historical reasons, do not want to deliver it to UkraineRobert Habeck, who is also the economy and climate minister, according to excerpts from the weekly interview. Die Zeit.

NATO stocks are running low

“We are in discussions with Switzerland, and I must say that clearly. I don’t understand why Switzerland doesn’t provide ammo for the Guepard.“, he said. This statement comes at a time when NATO countries are meeting in Brussels to discuss the acceleration of arms and ammunition supplies to Ukraine.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Monday that Kiev was using more munitions than the alliance could produce. “This is depleting our supplies and putting pressure on our defense industryhe had said. Switzerland, which is not part of NATO, twice last year barred Germany from sending Swiss-made munitions to Ukraine under the name of neutrality law and its legislation.

Berlin has provided about 30 “Gepard” anti-aircraft armored vehicles, and other deliveries are expected, according to the Ministry of Defense. But the country is struggling to acquire ammunition for these tanks, which are no longer in service in Germany. The Norwegian way had to be abandoned, as well as the Brazilian solution.

Arms giant Rheinmetall immediately announced the creation of a new production line in Germany, with production of the ammunition scheduled to begin in June.