Conference in Ramstein: battle tanks – yes or no?

Defense ministers and high-ranking military officials are discussing further support for Ukraine at the US Ramstein Air Force Base in Rhineland-Palatinate. The focus should be on the possible delivery of battle tanks.

Nothing is the same for Boris Pistorius as it was for other ministers when he took office: not the much-vaunted 100 days of induction time, no, he doesn’t even get a 100-hour grace period. However, that doesn’t seem to deter him. In the ARD broadcast “focal point” he steps confidently and confidently on.

The politician, who previously had almost exclusively domestic political experience as a state politician, describes himself as someone who is a good listener and who likes to make quick decisions. Qualities that he can really use today for his first major international test.

After a sprint through his first day as chief of defense – from being sworn in to military honors with his predecessor to visiting his American colleague Lloyd Austin – he is set to meet with allies from the European Union and NATO to discuss further military aid to the US to advise Ukraine, the so-called Ramstein format.

Allies demand a resounding “yes”

At the US air base in the Palatinate, representatives from countries that want to help Ukraine to withstand the Russian war of aggression are meeting for the eighth time. Even before the meeting begins, Pistorius’ allies of Germany make it clear what the day will be about: They demand a resounding “yes” for the delivery of modern German-made battle tanks. In the Leopard 2 they see the decisive contribution, so that the Ukraine can defend itself more successfully, especially in view of the Russian offensive in the spring, which is expected by many.

In his first appearances, Pistorius says that he needs everyone’s support and will demand it. An appeal that is actually aimed at the Bundeswehr, but it will also need the support of the allies. And they will demand something from him in return.

Thus, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba and his cabinet colleague, Defense Minister Reznikov, call on all participants in the Ramstein format to significantly increase their practical contribution and take it to a qualitatively new level. In plain language, that means finally delivering western battle tanks.

Zelenskyj: “People are dying here”

President Zelenskyy has had enough of the discussion that has been going on for months. “You’re grown people,” he said in an interview with the ARD on the eve of the meeting in Ramstein. “You can talk like that for six months, but people are dying here.”

He finds it problematic to say, “If America makes a move, then I will do something too”. He said it was important to emphasize that Leopard2 tanks were needed for protection and defense on the battlefield. “It’s not like we’re going to attack if anyone’s worried.”

US pledges another $2 billion in aid

Even before the Ramstein meeting, several countries promised a new package of billions in arms aid for Ukraine. The United States alone probably wants to pledge two billion dollars. A group from Eastern and Northern European countries promises an “unprecedented package of donations”. The donor conference will quickly agree on many things, just not on the question of battle tanks – yes or no.

Poland would be ready to deliver 14 Leopard tanks, but only wants to do so as part of a broad coalition. The Netherlands make their decision dependent on Germany. Other countries such as Finland are also pushing harder and harder.

The EU Parliament has voted by a large majority for the delivery of western main battle tanks. However, according to German government circles, there has not yet been an application to issue export permits for tanks produced in Germany. That would be necessary in any case, also for leopards from other countries.

In the USA, too, politicians from both parties and experts are calling on Germany to give up its hesitant attitude. The Leopard 2 is better suited for Ukraine than the American Abrams tanks. Easier to handle, easier to maintain, not that heavy. Instead, the US will probably add Stryker wheeled armored personnel carriers to the list. They emphasize that the German government can be sure of American backing if it sends battle tanks without the United States drawing level.

Scholz: No going it alone

But that is exactly what Chancellor Scholz wants to avoid so far. Again and again he emphasizes that there should be no going it alone and interprets it very narrowly, always along a branch of arms. That’s how it was recently with the decision to make Marder available to Ukraine. It was only when the USA also decided to supply infantry fighting vehicles that the German government changed its stance.

This is often judged by the allies to be too hesitant, too timid; the Chancellor countered that it was prudent. So far, there is nothing to indicate that Germany is prepared to assume a leadership role in security policy, while this is exactly what is increasingly being demanded abroad.

Max Bergmann, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, paraphrases it by saying they want to push Germany out of its comfort zone. One understands the hesitation, but the USA wants to encourage Germany to see itself as a “completely normal security policy actor”.

The new German defense minister will be confronted with this in Ramstein. Before the meeting, he doesn’t let himself be lured out of his reserve. He says he’s keen on Germany only supplying Leopard 2 tanks if the US is also sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine, but otherwise he backs the Chancellor’s line. “We act in concert.”

Pistorius promised in ARD focal point, the decision as to whether Germany would be ready to deliver battle tanks even without the Americans would come in the next few days, but he couldn’t yet say what it would look like. When asked whether Germany would give other countries permission to give Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the minister made it exciting: That would be decided in the next few hours.

The politician who says he likes to make decisions quickly wants to take his time when it comes to battle tanks. “We will coordinate,” he said in the Scholzian sense. Just because you take the time to make decisions doesn’t mean it’s a zigzag course, he counters with critics.

Pistorius under observation

The meeting in Ramstein is a good opportunity for the newcomer to the circle of defense ministers to introduce himself to many, but he won’t have a grace period in this circle either. His foreign colleagues will be watching him closely. Pistorius will have to balance how to stay aligned with the chancellor while also profiling himself as a defense minister his allies can count on when it comes to Ukraine policy.