France, Germany, Poland and several other countries are supporting Ukraine with military weapons to repel invasion by Russia’s Vladimir Putin. 

AFP on Saturday reported that the duo of France and Germany reversed policy barring them from providing Ukraine weapons amidst the country’s war with Russia. 

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point in history. It threatens our entire post-war order,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. 

Approving the delivery of lethal weapons to Kyiv, Mr Scholz said “in this situation, it is our duty to support Ukraine to the best of our ability in its defence against (Russian President) Vladimir Putin’s invading army.”

He also pledged to transfer 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 “Stinger” class surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine.

Reacting to this development, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a tweet said “Germany has just announced the provision of anti-tank grenade launchers and stinger missiles to Ukraine. Keep it up, Chancellor @OlafScholz! Anti-war coalition in action!” 

Similarly, France President Emmanuel Macron’s office has approved delivery of more military equipment to Ukraine and ramped up sanctions against Russia. 

Russia began invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, with a series of missile strikes on cities and military assets.

Hours after the invasion, Russian forces seized control of the now-decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant and its surrounding exclusion zone as well as the Antonov International airport near Kyiv.