Last Wednesday it was clear: Germany will deliver Leopard-2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. According to Defense Minister Pistorius, they could be there at the end of March or beginning of April. Although Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked Germany, he also called for even more support: long-range missiles and fighter jets. Ukraine is under a lot of pressure again, last week there were many and big attacks from Russia. A major Russian offensive is also expected in the spring.
Security expert Claudia Major from the Science and Politics Foundation observed the war in Ukraine from the start. She says: “The main battle tanks are a qualitative game changer, but they will not decide this war alone.” She warns against increased expectations and also against taking the next step directly from tanks to jets. But the question is still: “What happens if we don’t deliver weapons to Ukraine?” If Russia wins the war, the security situation in Europe will be much more dangerous than it is now. Russia is currently showing no willingness to negotiate peace without preconditions: “Russia wants to abolish Ukraine as such.” That’s why Putin “must be brought to the negotiating table with military strength.”
The editorial deadline for this program was Friday, January 27th, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Moderation, editing: Tami Holderried
Editors: Vinzent-Vitus Leitgeb, Sabrina Höbel, Lars Langenau
Production: Benjamin Markthaler
Additional audio material about phoenix, afp, Office of the President of Ukraine, German Bundestag, Netflix
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