Inspector General of the Bundeswehr about Avdiivka: "This is right" (video)

Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr*, about the situation with Avdiivka, the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian offensive and Western assistance to Ukraine.

IN interview DW On February 18, at the Munich Security Conference, Lieutenant General Breuer answered questions from the publication’s journalists.

DW: A few hours ago, Ukrainian troops abandoned Avdiivka. You were in Ukraine just recently, you know the situation. How hard is this for the Ukrainian army?

Breuer: During my visit to Ukraine last week, I saw Ukrainian soldiers who were tired but determined. I saw the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who has a plan, who knows what he wants, and who is now beginning to implement this plan. I think what we saw in Avdiivka was consistent military action to save the lives of soldiers. And I think that was right.

DW: Do you expect further failures of the Ukrainian army? After all, she doesn’t have enough ammunition. How critical is the supply situation?

Breuer: We in Germany, in Western countries, are doing everything we can to give Ukraine the support it needs, as much as possible. And for this I went to Ukraine last week. In the aid package that I discussed with General Syrsky, we again supplied Ukraine with ammunition, armored vehicles and sanitary and medical supplies. I think what is important now is to supply materials within the framework of a coalition of capabilities, to join forces so that different countries can provide targeted assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces.

DW: You mentioned General Syrsky, the new commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. What impression did he make on you?

Breuer: We had a very, very good conversation. He impressed me as a determined man. He has a very high level of training. He copes with a new situation for himself. I think he will move forward very consistently.

DW: They say that the Bundeswehr’s arsenals are almost empty. Is this really true? What else could the Bundeswehr quickly deliver to Ukraine?

Breuer: We look every day to see what is needed. We are in close contact – I am with General Syrsky. But at all other levels we are in constant contact and constantly monitor what is required now, what is necessary in this particular situation. And we do this every day. But we take into account not only the warehouses of the Bundeswehr, we also coordinate this at the European level, trying, with the help of various coordination mechanisms, to get for Ukraine exactly what the Ukrainian army needs.

DW: How do you currently assess the strength of the Russian army? Has she now gone on the offensive? What to expect?

Breuer: The front line clearly shows that no one can advance there now. Because due to the length of the front line and mining, movement is almost impossible. What we see are local advantages on one side or the other. It is impossible to speak in general about the advantage at the front for one or the disadvantages for the other, or about the offensive of one and the defense of the other.

DW: Ukraine and Germany signed a security agreement in Berlin. What, from your point of view, are its main points?

Breuer: From my point of view, the security agreement itself is already a very, very good sign, because it once again clearly shows how firmly Germany stands on the side of Ukraine. Due to the fact that other countries will follow this, it once again becomes obvious that, thanks to solidarity within EU, solidarity within NATO, the West shows how strongly it supports Ukraine. With this agreement, the West’s unity and determination become even more evident.

DW: At the moment there is no agreement on arms supplies to Ukraine from the United States, and Washington is Kyiv’s most important partner. To what extent can Europeans compensate for the shortfall in American aid?

Breuer: Here, at the Munich Security Conference, all this was once again intensively discussed, including with the American delegation. I think it’s imperative that everyone sticks together and everyone delivers what they can. So that everyone understands what the situation is in Ukraine, and also understands how much good support and solidarity is needed.

DW: Can you briefly summarize – what is MSC’s signal to Ukraine?

Breuer: Munich’s signal for Ukraine is cohesion. Here it once again became obvious that we stand shoulder to shoulder and will support Ukraine. As long as it takes.

*The position of Inspector General of the Bundeswehr corresponds to the Chief of the General Staff in other countries.

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