Germany is being accused not just of not taking a leadership position in the diplomatic effort to avoid war between Russia and Ukraine but also for actively failing support Ukraine’s defense against an attack.

U.S.A. and U.K. were among those countries who sent hardware to Ukraine to aid it in defense against an invasion. Russia has not stated that it plans to make such an invasion, even though there are many thousands of troops already in the region.

Germany is reported to have blocked other countries from sending help but has refused to do so. That has lead to accusations that it has not shown Ukraine — which is not a member of the EU or NATO but is geographically within Europe — enough solidarity.

CNBC’s Andrij Melnyk spoke Monday to CNBC about the dangers facing Ukraine.

According to him, “The world is changing rapidly and Germany, the largest European country, and the most powerful economic power in the world, cannot continue to sleep and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.”

Germany must awaken, Germany must stand with its Allies, and Germany must do more to secure Europe. Germany can play a special role in these particular moments when there is the possibility of a new war breaking out.

Ambassador added that Germany should be a part of the allies that send defensive weapons to Ukraine, and that Germany must “help stop this new war which Russia seems to be playing.”

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated in recent months. Russia has deployed around 100,000 soldiers along the border with Ukraine, while moving around 35,000 troops to Belarus as part of military exercises. Russia has been criticized for its support for pro-Russian separatists and the 2014 annexe of Crimea. This is causing low confidence in Russia.

Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is visiting Washington on Monday to meet with Joe Biden the President of the U.S.A. in Washington for his first official visit since becoming chancellor, will be able to ease concerns regarding Berlin’s attitude towards Ukraine.

Scholz is being criticized for his apparent reluctance in weighing in, and is now under pressure to defend Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Berlin offers to supply 5,000 protective helmets as well as a hospital in a field, instead of sending weapons to Kyiv. This offer was received with ridicule and disbelief in certain parts of Ukraine.

Germany responded by saying that it was fulfilling a request for military equipment. Reuters reported that Germany was defending itself at the time. Bild also reported that the German government received a request for military equipment from Ukraine, which required 100,000 tactical vests and combat helmets.

Reports also claim that Germany prevented Estonia from shipping weapons to Ukraine. The defense minister of Ukraine has stated that Berlin stopped Ukraine from acquiring weapons through NATO.

Because Ukraine is not a member of NATO, the military alliance is not obliged to defend it, but given its location — separating Russia and the EU — any confrontation has the potential to destabilize the whole region.

Speaking to German broadcaster RTL ahead of his meeting with BidenScholz also defended Germany’s track record in defense spending. This has been a problem of the U.S. for a while, and it was criticized by Germany for its failure to reach NATO-agreed defense expenditure targets.

We are concrete in all that we do in Europe for NATO defense. We are the nation with the greatest defense contribution in the European Union and continental Europe. That should be obvious. The capabilities of the Bundeswehr have been vastly increased in the last few years. [Germany’s armed forces]. When I was still finance minister, I supported this. RTL will keep us in the same position,” Scholz said.

He is visiting Washington amid concerns that Russia could invade Ukraine.

Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, warned Sunday that Russia could launch military actions against Ukraine. However, it may be a few weeks away or Russia might choose to follow the diplomatic route.” He said this in an interview with “The View.”Fox News Sunday.”

Sullivan made these comments after U.S. officials stated that Russia had about 70% of its combat power needed to invade Ukraine. According to reports, the number and type of border battalion tactical units has increased to 83 from 60 by Friday. Reuters.

Chancellor Scholz reiterated his firm stance against Germany supplying lethal arms to Ukraine. He told German broadcaster ARD that the German government had been following a clear path for a while: We never supply lethal weaponry to conflict regions, and we are not supplying them with Ukraine.

“My predecessor [Angela Merkel]”I am committed to this path and it was and will remain right,” he said, adding that polls suggest that the majority of Germans support the government’s position.

He stated that his duty was to act in the best interests of German citizens and in this instance, the point of view our citizens.