German FinMin Lindner: Germany Can't Support Ukraine On Its Own

Wires reporting comments from German finance minister Christian Lindner stating that, "Germany can't keep up Ukraine's defence capabilities on its own in the long term, others will have to increase bilateral contributions."

• Lindner added, "anyone who wants to conduct peace negotiations with Moscow over the heads of Ukraine is prepared to sacrifice Ukraine."
• The remarks are likely directed at the US as President Biden's USD$106 billion supplemental funding request, which includes roughly USD$60 billion for Ukraine, remains gridlocked in Congress due to intractable negotiations on border security.
• US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group today: "I urge this group to dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air-defense systems and interceptors," but his prepared remarks dropped mention of supporting Ukraine for, "as long as it takes."
• White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, speaking at the White House moments ago, told reporters that it is "critical" that Congress passes supplemental funding as Ukraine is making, "tough decision on the battlefield about what they're going to shoot and what they've going to save for another day."
• It is unclear if the supplemental package has any pathway to legislation in the short-term. There was some optimism over the weekend that the Senate may consider a bill this week, but that optimism was punctured yesterday by negative assessments on the status of border talks from key negotiators.