Status: 01/25/2023 2:18 p.m
Germany wants to deliver “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine – the decision of the federal government is well received internationally. But there is also harsh criticism of the traffic light coalition’s course among German politicians.
The German government’s decision to support Ukraine by supplying “Leopard” tanks has met with great international support. However, there is also harsh opposition from the opposition parties Left and AfD.
“A first step has been taken,” said the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram to the promised “Leopard” delivery. But he also stressed that Ukraine needs “a lot of Leopards” and therefore urged a “tank coalition” with the help of which as many tanks as possible could be sent to Ukraine from different countries.
The federal government had previously confirmed that, as a first step, 14 Leopard 2 A6 main battle tanks would be delivered to Ukraine and that other states would also receive approval to supply their own Leopard tanks.
The Russian embassy in Berlin criticized the German vote for the delivery of the “Leopard” tanks. This “extremely dangerous decision” raises the conflict “to a new level of confrontation” and will lead to further escalation.
“Big step to stop Russia”
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki welcomed the news from Berlin in a tweet. “The decision to supply Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine is a big step in stopping Russia. Together we are stronger,” he wrote.
Poland had long been demanding that Germany provide the Ukraine with “Leopard” tanks and also promised to supply these tanks itself. However, this requires the approval of the federal government. On Tuesday, the Polish government submitted an application to obtain this permit for export.
Positive feedback from France and Great Britain
France also welcomed the German decision to supply the “Leopard” as the right step. This will further expand the support that the French government has already initiated with the delivery of the armed AMX-10 wheeled tanks, according to a statement from the Elysée Palace.
It remains unclear whether France will also make “Leclerc” tanks available to Ukraine in the future. President Emmanuel Macron announced at the weekend that he had commissioned the Ministry of Defense to examine appropriate options. France has around 200 of the heavy battle tanks, and a good dozen are in use in Romania.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke of the “right decision by NATO allies and friends” and stressed on Twitter that together with the “Challenger 2” tanks made available by his country, the “‘Leopard tanks’ would provide defensive firepower strengthen Ukraine”.
Spain and the Netherlands hold out the prospect of participation
In addition to Germany and Poland, as a result of the announcement from Berlin, the Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles was also ready to send “Leopard” tanks from Germany to Ukraine, as the Spanish news agency EFE reported. Spain will act in coordination with western allies and help Ukraine repel Russian invasion, the agency quoted the ministry head as saying.
According to the Reuters news agency, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also raised the possibility of buying tanks previously leased from Germany in order to then make them available to Ukraine.
A “logical” decision
The new Federal Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, praised the decision to supply tanks as “historic because it was coordinated internationally and because it happened in a highly explosive situation in Ukraine.” According to the SPD politician, it could even become a “game changer” in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine or in this phase of the war.
Federal Economics Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck described the decision for the “Leopard delivery as “logical”. “Ukraine’s right to self-defense applies, and we support it with great strength,” emphasized the Green politician. At the same time, Habeck defended the initially wait-and-see approach Position of the traffic light coalition: “I think it’s right that we always weigh things up carefully and then adjust our support according to the situation.” Likewise, Habeck’s party colleague and parliamentary group leader of the Greens, Britta Haßelmann, emphasized that it was good to make this decision “to delivery of main battle tanks together with our allies and partners”.
Praise from the FDP
The yes to the “Leopard” delivery also met with positive reactions in the ranks of the FDP. “We have to strengthen Ukraine’s defense power so that it can win its defense battle,” said Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, and Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger emphasized that this was “an important step to help Ukraine in its fight against brutal Russian aggression to strengthen”.
Party leader Christian Lindner made a similar statement on Twitter. “The main battle tanks strengthen Ukraine against Putin,” he wrote, but also combined this with the demand that the USA participate in the ongoing support of Ukraine by supplying more tanks. US media are already speculating that the US government wants to make around 30 “Abrams” tanks available to Ukraine.
Warnings from the Left Party and AfD
Completely different reactions came from the Left Party: faction leader Amira Mohamed Ali spoke of a “historic failure of the SPD” and warned that Chancellor Scholz was dragging Germany ever further into the war.
Negative feedback also came from the AfD. Their co-boss Alice Weidel criticized a “fatal decision” by the federal government. The state chairman of the AfD Bavaria, Stephan Protschka, also called for an end to arms deliveries to Ukraine on Twitter. Instead, the federal government should work for a ceasefire.