Scholz rejects criticism of German arms supply to Ukraine

BERLIN, June 14. (DPA/EP) -

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday rejected criticism he has received that Germany is being too slow in delivering heavy weapons to Ukraine.

"We will hand over all weapons that we approved," Scholz said, adding that the Ukrainian Armed Forces first had to be trained in the use of weapons.

Thus, he has emphasized that "it is really heavy equipment. You have to be able to use it, you have to be trained for it," Scholz clarified, explaining that the Ukrainian soldiers were being trained in Germany.

The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, has reiterated his request to Berlin on Monday to speed up the delivery of weapons. "It is disappointing that arms deliveries from Germany are extremely slow," he said.

Scholz has not confirmed reports that he is expected to travel to kyiv on Thursday, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.