Speaking at a European Political Community (EPC) meeting in the U.K., Scholz said that Kyiv's request for NATO allies to intercept Russian arms flying over Ukraine is "out of the question."
The court said that the man, assisted by his common-law wife, had sent around 120,000 spare parts and other components for Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones to Russia between 2020 and 2023 in violation of an EU embargo on the export of such goods.
Key developments on July 17: * 95 Ukrainian POWs released from Russian captivity * Fighting in Krynky ongoing, but Ukrainian positions 'completely destroyed' * Citing security concerns, Russian authorities restrict entry to border areas of Belgorod Oblast * Germany to halve Ukraine military aid, Reuters reports * Ukraine lists 42,000 citizens as missing persons
The move comes amid increasing concern that a Donald Trump victory in the upcoming U.S. presidential election will see a dramatic cut in Washington's support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.
"I believe that we should help Ukraine to at least restore sovereignty over its own airspace," Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician Friedrich Merz said on July 14.
"Our country is in the crosshairs of American missiles located in Europe. We've been through all this before," he said in an interview with Russian TV propagandist Pavel Zarubin. "We have enough potential to deter these missiles. But the capitals of these states are potential victims."
France, Germany, Italy, and Poland announced on July 11 that they agreed to develop ground-launched cruise missiles with a range beyond 500 kilometers (around 310 miles), Reuters reported.
After obtaining intelligence about the plans, the U.S. then shared the information with their German counterparts, who "were then able to protect (Rheinmetall CEO Armin) Papperger and foil the plot," CNN said.
In the coming days, the NATO alliance will announce a new military command in Germany to train and equip Ukrainian troops, as well as appoint a new NATO senior representative in Kyiv, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said on July 9 at the start of the NATO summit in Washington.
The heightened security alert was first reported earlier in July as being connected to a possible terrorist threat directed at several U.S. military installations across Europe, including the facility in Germany where the U.S. European Command is based.
The package will include ammunition for the Leopard 1 tank, 9,000 rounds of ammunition for anti-aircraft guns Gepard, 55,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition from German domestic stocks, as well as 58,000 rounds of 40mm ammunition.
Ambassadors of Germany, Austria, and the U.S. condemned Russia's mass morning attack against Ukraine on July 8 that killed nearly 30 people and wounded around 90 on the eve of the NATO Summit in Washington.
Hungary canceled German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's planned visit to Budapest, Germany's Foreign Office said on July 5, after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's trip to Moscow.
The third Patriot air defense system pledged by Germany is already in Ukraine, German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger said on July 5.
Germany and Poland have reaffirmed their security cooperation in a joint action plan, Reuters reported on July 2.
The leaders of three states sent a joint letter with their request for funding to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The factory, which belongs to Diehl Metal Applications, a subsidiary of the Diehl group that manufactures IRIS-T air defense systems used by Ukraine, caught on fire in May, resulting in the destruction of much of the building.
Key developments on June 24: * Ukraine reports increase in Russian chemical weapons attacks on battlefield * Zelensky dismisses Lieutenant General accused by soldiers of heavy losses * Russian saboteurs likely behind arson attack on German factory, security officials tell WSJ * EU Council announces 14th round of sanctions against Russia * At least 5
"Germany stands with Ukraine. Forty-one Mercedes Arocs trucks will help State Border Guard Service units provide logistics at the front," German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger said.
Many voters do not agree with the government's support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, which is "also reflected by the election results," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
Unnamed security officials told the Wall Street Journal that a number of details revealed in the subsequent investigation into the fire point to Russian involvement and the direct work of "experienced professionals."
Germany’s vice-chancellor expressed readiness to discussions with Beijing regarding EU tariffs but adopted a more stringent stance on Chinese exports to Russia during the first visit to mainland China by a senior European politician since the tariffs were introduced.
Three men were arrested in Germany on suspicion of cooperating with a foreign secret service, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office reported on June 21.
The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall received a framework contract from the Bundeswehr for 155 mm artillery ammunition worth up to 8.5 billion euros ($9.1 billion), the company said on June 20.
The United States and allies are debating what to commit to Ukraine's NATO membership at the upcoming 75th anniversary summit in Washington, CNN reported on June 19. U.S. officials are reportedly facing criticism from European countries for not willing to go as far as countries closer to Russia would prefer.
Russia is "working hard" to counter the expulsion of diplomats from Germany by turning to blackmail and the lure of big payouts to recruit spies, Berlin officials said on June 18.
The Frankenstein air defense tank consists of an advanced German Skyranger anti-aircraft gun mounted on a Leopard 1 battle tank. The system can shoot down both drones and missiles, according to The Telegraph.
European Union countries failed to approve a new sanctions package targeting the Russian gas industry after German authorities intervened to block the deal at the last minute.
Czech police arrested a Moldovan man on June 14 under suspicion of involvement in the murder of a 9-year-old Ukrainian girl in Germany, who disappeared on her way to school on June 3.
Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S.
Valeria reportedly went missing on her way to school on June 3. The police confirmed that her body was found on June 11 some four kilometers (2.4 miles) away from her home in a forest between the settlements of Hermsdorf and Mahlitzsch.
"At the conference, it was announced that together with the German arms company Rheinmetall, we will start production of the Lynx vehicles in Ukraine. The first such machine will be produced in Ukraine by the end of the year," Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin told Ukrinform in Berlin.
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