Despite numerous requests from the Kyiv authorities and pressure from NATO allies, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is still not ready to supply Leopard-2 tanks to Ukraine. Furthermore, Berlin blocks the re-export of these military vehicles by other countries. In particular, Poland and Finland, whose leadership announced, that it will promptly send more than ten tanks to Kyiv as soon as it receives the appropriate permission from the Federal Republic of Germany.
Earlier, Scholz explained the reluctance to provide Ukraine with German tanks with fear, that in this case Germany could become a party to a military conflict with Russia. Then the German chancellor announced, that the Bundeswehr is ready to start a possible supply of heavy equipment only together with NATO partners. Now, when France and Great Britain announced their intention to send their heavy combat vehicles to Ukraine, and Finland and Poland are waiting for this only go-ahead from Berlin, with the German Chancellor, looks like, there's a new reason to keep blocking this question.
The German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, citing its sources, reports, that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is ready to allow the supply of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but only after sending American Abrams by the United States. According to the publication, This issue was discussed by the head of the German government on Tuesday by telephone with US President Joe Biden. But now the White House is saying, that they are not yet ready to provide their tanks for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. What does not prevent the Biden administration from putting pressure on Berlin, so that he not only issues permission to other NATO countries to send Leopard to Ukraine, but he himself joined this process.
The issue of providing heavy weapons to Kyiv, including Leopard tanks, surely will be discussed 20 January at the American Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where the defense ministers of the countries will meet, providing military support to Ukraine. At the next summit of the Kyiv allies, Germany will be represented for the first time by the new head of the German Defense Ministry Boris Pistorius. Experts suggest, that at this meeting the representatives of the states, advocating an increase in military assistance to Ukraine, will still be able to break the resistance of Berlin, and Germany will issue at least permission to re-export its tanks. Author:Alexander Grigoriev Photos used:Bundeswehr website
