Debate about “Leopard 2” delivery: Baltic foreign ministers appeal to Scholz

Status: 01/21/2023 2:16 p.m

The pressure on Germany to allow the delivery of “Leopard 2” tanks or to deliver tanks of the type itself continues to mount. Now the foreign ministers of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania are warning – and citing Germany’s leading role in Europe.

The foreign ministers of the Baltic countries have asked Germany to deliver “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine.

“This is necessary to stop Russian aggression, help Ukraine and quickly restore peace in Europe,” wrote Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics on Twitter – according to his own statements also on behalf of his counterparts from Estonia and Lithuania. “As a leading European power, Germany has a special responsibility in this regard.”

Strack-Zimmermann disappointed

Most recently, politicians from the traffic light coalition and opposition had expressed disappointment at Germany’s reluctance. The chairwoman of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), said in the ZDF-heute journal: “At least a signal would have been right to give the partners the green light.”

By that she meant the desire of countries like Poland to deliver their own German-made “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine. However, they need a permit from Berlin for this. “History is looking at us, and unfortunately Germany just failed,” complained Strack-Zimmermann.

Also Goering-Eckardt for tank delivery

Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt was also disappointed. “I would have wished that the German government had already cleared the way for the delivery of Leopard tanks this week,” said the Green politician of the Funke media group: “These are urgently needed in Ukraine. Ukraine not only defends their own country, but also our freedom.”

Mützenich calls for reason instead of “snapping”

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich rejected Strack-Zimmermann’s criticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) with sharp words. “Ms. Strack-Zimmermann and others are talking us into a military conflict. The same people who are calling for going it alone with heavy battle tanks today will be screaming for planes or troops tomorrow,” he told the German Press Agency. “Politics in times of war in Europe are not made in the style of outrage rituals or gasping, but with clarity and reason.”

Scholz does not move away

The background is a meeting of the allies for a Ukraine conference in Ramstein yesterday, at which further billions in aid for the country attacked by Russia were agreed – but not the delivery of “Leopard 2” tanks.

According to media reports, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Resnikov recently announced that Ukrainian soldiers should soon begin their training on the tanks in Poland.

Ramstein: Of disappointing and considered moments

Oliver Neuroth, ARD Berlin, 20.1.2023 11:25 p.m

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