German parliament approves petition to deliver heavy arms to Ukraine

[April 28, 2022]  BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Bundestag lower house of parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a petition on support for Ukraine backing the delivery of weapons including heavy arms to the country to help it fend off Russian attacks. 

A general view of the plenary hall of the German lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, ahead of a debate on a comprehensive support plan for Ukraine, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Berlin, Germany April 28, 2022. REUTERS/Michele Tantussi

"Alongside the broad economic isolation and decoupling of Russia from international markets, the most important and effective means to stop the Russian invasion is to intensify and speed up the delivery of effective weapons and complex systems including heavy arms," the petition read.

The petition was backed by both the three parties in the ruling coalition as well as the opposition conservatives, passing with 586 votes in favor, 100 against and seven abstentions, according to Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki.

(Reporting by Paul Carrel and Alexander Ratz; Writing by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Miranda Murray)

[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.