Chancellor Olaf Scholz has told the German parliament that Russian soldiers committed a massacre of Ukrainian civilians in Bucha before their withdrawal.

“The murder of civilians is a war crime,” Scholz said on Wednesday.

Mr Scholz defended the weapons deliveries to Ukraine by his government, pointing out in parliament that the previous conservative-led government had followed a policy of not sending weapons to conflict zones at all.

“Some in the conservative opposition have called for the government to approve the delivery of heavier weapons to Ukraine, including tanks.’’

Mr Scholz responded in parliament that many weapons had been delivered already.

He said further deliveries would follow if the arms are “available and made sense.” 

(dpa/NAN)