03:13German Foreign Office spokesperson Christian Wagner said that he wouldn't ‘speculate on how Israel will react to Iran's attack’, during a press briefing on Wednesday, as PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel alone would 'decide' regardless of allies' 'suggestions'.
“A large number of players are now required. I mentioned earlier that the Foreign Minister [Annalena Baerbock] is currently in Israel. We are in close co-ordination with our international partners, including in the G7, and are looking toward the future, doing everything we can to prevent a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East,” said Wagner.
Netanyahu thanked both Germany and Britain for their support while meeting with both Baerbock and the UK's Lord Cameron, but said that Israel would take its own decisions and do whatever it takes to 'defend itself'.
Israel had vowed further retaliation after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards the country on Saturday night, although the US and other allies warned the country against it.
Meanwhile, German Defence Ministry spokesperson Arne Collatz said that Poland’s decision to participate in the European Sky Shield (ESSI) air defence umbrella would be ‘a very welcome and positive contribution to this initiative’ which had been designed for ‘the most comprehensive protection not only of a country, but of the region’.
It follows the announcement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday that his country aimed to join the initiative, while hailing the success of Israel’s Iron Dome system in warding off Iranian strikes. Poland is also reportedly working on initiatives in partnership with the US and UK on air defence.
Wagner also underlined that it is a ‘very important goal to equip Ukraine with more air defence’, noting Germany had already contributed Patriot missile systems to Kiev and that the issue would be discussed at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Foreign Affairs Council.
“[Defence] Minister Pistorius and Foreign Minister Baerbock are now once again partners, both in NATO and beyond, in an initiative that we call Immediate Action on Air Defence, in order to promote the idea of supporting Ukraine on this,” said Wagner.
Germany announced on Saturday that it will supply an additional Patriot air defence system as well as an Iris-T system and missiles to Ukraine, following a phone call between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The German Defence Ministry said the hardware will be handed over immediately in light of a recent 'increase of Russian airstrikes'.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Ukraine's allies for supplying weaponry, claiming that deliveries will only prolong and escalate the fighting but won't change the outcome.
Berlin won't 'speculate' on Israel's reaction to Iranian attack - Govt spox as Netayanhu tells Baerbock and allies 'we decide'
German Foreign Office spokesperson Christian Wagner said that he wouldn't ‘speculate on how Israel will react to Iran's attack’, during a press briefing on Wednesday, as PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel alone would 'decide' regardless of allies' 'suggestions'.
“A large number of players are now required. I mentioned earlier that the Foreign Minister [Annalena Baerbock] is currently in Israel. We are in close co-ordination with our international partners, including in the G7, and are looking toward the future, doing everything we can to prevent a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East,” said Wagner.
Netanyahu thanked both Germany and Britain for their support while meeting with both Baerbock and the UK's Lord Cameron, but said that Israel would take its own decisions and do whatever it takes to 'defend itself'.
Israel had vowed further retaliation after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards the country on Saturday night, although the US and other allies warned the country against it.
Meanwhile, German Defence Ministry spokesperson Arne Collatz said that Poland’s decision to participate in the European Sky Shield (ESSI) air defence umbrella would be ‘a very welcome and positive contribution to this initiative’ which had been designed for ‘the most comprehensive protection not only of a country, but of the region’.
It follows the announcement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday that his country aimed to join the initiative, while hailing the success of Israel’s Iron Dome system in warding off Iranian strikes. Poland is also reportedly working on initiatives in partnership with the US and UK on air defence.
Wagner also underlined that it is a ‘very important goal to equip Ukraine with more air defence’, noting Germany had already contributed Patriot missile systems to Kiev and that the issue would be discussed at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Foreign Affairs Council.
“[Defence] Minister Pistorius and Foreign Minister Baerbock are now once again partners, both in NATO and beyond, in an initiative that we call Immediate Action on Air Defence, in order to promote the idea of supporting Ukraine on this,” said Wagner.
Germany announced on Saturday that it will supply an additional Patriot air defence system as well as an Iris-T system and missiles to Ukraine, following a phone call between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The German Defence Ministry said the hardware will be handed over immediately in light of a recent 'increase of Russian airstrikes'.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Ukraine's allies for supplying weaponry, claiming that deliveries will only prolong and escalate the fighting but won't change the outcome.
German Foreign Office spokesperson Christian Wagner said that he wouldn't ‘speculate on how Israel will react to Iran's attack’, during a press briefing on Wednesday, as PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel alone would 'decide' regardless of allies' 'suggestions'.
“A large number of players are now required. I mentioned earlier that the Foreign Minister [Annalena Baerbock] is currently in Israel. We are in close co-ordination with our international partners, including in the G7, and are looking toward the future, doing everything we can to prevent a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East,” said Wagner.
Netanyahu thanked both Germany and Britain for their support while meeting with both Baerbock and the UK's Lord Cameron, but said that Israel would take its own decisions and do whatever it takes to 'defend itself'.
Israel had vowed further retaliation after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles towards the country on Saturday night, although the US and other allies warned the country against it.
Meanwhile, German Defence Ministry spokesperson Arne Collatz said that Poland’s decision to participate in the European Sky Shield (ESSI) air defence umbrella would be ‘a very welcome and positive contribution to this initiative’ which had been designed for ‘the most comprehensive protection not only of a country, but of the region’.
It follows the announcement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday that his country aimed to join the initiative, while hailing the success of Israel’s Iron Dome system in warding off Iranian strikes. Poland is also reportedly working on initiatives in partnership with the US and UK on air defence.
Wagner also underlined that it is a ‘very important goal to equip Ukraine with more air defence’, noting Germany had already contributed Patriot missile systems to Kiev and that the issue would be discussed at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the Foreign Affairs Council.
“[Defence] Minister Pistorius and Foreign Minister Baerbock are now once again partners, both in NATO and beyond, in an initiative that we call Immediate Action on Air Defence, in order to promote the idea of supporting Ukraine on this,” said Wagner.
Germany announced on Saturday that it will supply an additional Patriot air defence system as well as an Iris-T system and missiles to Ukraine, following a phone call between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The German Defence Ministry said the hardware will be handed over immediately in light of a recent 'increase of Russian airstrikes'.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Ukraine's allies for supplying weaponry, claiming that deliveries will only prolong and escalate the fighting but won't change the outcome.