Germany is Ukraine’s new best friend. What a difference a war makes

Berlin steps up assistance as Kyiv faces relentless Russian attacks, low morale at home, and splits in the EU and Nato

Olaf Scholz, Germany's safety-first chancellor, has been harshly criticised for foot-dragging on military assistance for Ukraine. As Russia's invasion loomed, he was ridiculed for offering 5,000 helmets instead of heavy weapons.

Early German doubts and prevarications delayed delivery of missiles and Leopard tanks. It got so bad that, in April last year, Germany's president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, was bluntly told he was not welcome in Kyiv.