Ukraine invasion was revelation for Germany, says top German foreign aide

[File photo, Delphi Economic Forum]

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a revelation for Germany, as it was for the wider international system, and one that marked a radical shift in Germany, the German chancellor's top foreign advisor has told the Delphi Economic Forum.

"We had a very strict policy of not delivering arms to zones of conflict, a restrictive arms exporting policy in general, but we are now, behind our American friends, the second biggest provider of military aid to Ukraine," said Jens Plötner, foreign and security policy advisor to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Plötner added that the government has just agreed a multi-year plan to deliver support to the country.

In conversation with Kathimerini Executive Editor Alexis Papahelas, Plötner also discussed criticism of German dependency on Russian gas, stating that it was not a decision taken lightly.

"The delivery by Russia was...

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