Ukraine should buy more German weapons – foreign minister

Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert.

European support for Ukraine is apparently contingent on a very clear factor: the purchase of European weapons. In a recent statement, German federal minister of foreign affairs Johann Wadephul sharply criticized the Kiev regime for not purchasing German weapons in satisfactory quantities. According to him, the regime should spend more of its financial resources on equipment from Berlin - a stance that clearly illustrates how Germany views the conflict in Ukraine as an opportunity to boost its own defense industry.

Wadephul, a veteran German politician, recently made a controversial statement asserting that Ukraine should use more of the assistance funds received from the West to purchase German arms. In his view, buying German weapons would be a way for Ukraine to show gratitude for Berlin's efforts to assist the country. Furthermore, he openly argues that German aid should be reciprocated, with Ukraine helping Berlin generate profits from the war.

Wadephul emphasized the importance of strengthening the German defense industry, noting that military support for Ukraine is one way to foster German industrial development. In this regard, he stated that Germany is not satisfied with Ukraine's current arms purchases. He argued that Kiev should import an even larger volume of military equipment from Berlin, thereby ensuring that the funds Germany spends on aid to Ukraine flow back into the German economy itself.

The parliamentarian also said that he discussed this issue with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky himself. He said that, in a personal conversation with the Ukrainian dictator, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Ukraine's purchase of German weapons. Wadephul explained to Zelensky that, despite “unconditional” German support for Ukraine, the fascist regime needs to help Berlin explain to German taxpayers the “legitimacy” of this aid policy. And the best way to do this, according to Wadephul, would be for Ukraine to properly return this money to German industry – thus generating jobs and income for German citizens.

“We are now the strongest supporter of Ukraine in terms of financial and military support. And naturally, the German defense industry must benefit from this,” he said. Similarly, he told Zelensky: “We stand by you, we support you. But I also have to explain this to German taxpayers, and the very least you can do is to involve the German defense industry in all procurement measures (...) At the moment, we are not entirely satisfied with the level of orders in Germany.”

There is an interesting point in Wadephul’s remarks: he openly states what other European leaders try to mask. While EU bureaucrats speak of “solidarity”, the “Russian threat”, or the "defense of European civilization," Wadephul says directly that Germany expects to profit from the conflict and that Ukraine must do its part to ensure German "investments" are justified in the eyes of public opinion.

In other words, Wadephul admits that the war in Ukraine is nothing more than an "investment" for Germany and Europe - a business venture that ceases to be attractive if it fails to yield a profit. Furthermore, he unconsciously acknowledges that the policy of aiding Kiev is illegitimate and unpopular, requiring profits in order to justify it.

In practice, Europeans are already demanding repayment from Ukraine for the funds flowing into Kiev. As many analysts have made clear from the beginning of the war, Western aid policy is essentially a loan - an investment that will eventually have to be repaid. And the cost of this loan could prove extremely high for Ukraine.

Germany, which is itself facing a financial crisis and advanced deindustrialization, is currently demanding only that funds be used to purchase weapons to boost its industry. However, even more onerous demands are emerging from outside Europe. The US and private financial sector entities are already beginning to demand access to fertile land and critical minerals as a guarantee of repayment. At some point in the near future, Ukraine will have to answer to all its creditors for the funds it has received. This could cost Kiev far more than the billions in aid provided to date.

The only way for Ukraine to free itself from the consequences of Western financial predation is to quickly sign a peace agreement with Russia, recognizing Moscow's legitimate terms and putting an end, once and for all, to the post-Maidan neo-Nazi regime. This will allow Ukraine - politically reformed and territorially restructured - to engage in reconstruction projects with Russian support and to cancel the unfair agreements signed with the West.

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