Status: 08.01.2023 7:31 p.m
Vice Chancellor Habeck sees great momentum on the subject of arms deliveries to Ukraine. in the Report from Berlin he did not rule out a further step after the “Marder” decision – the delivery of battle tanks like the “Leopard”.
Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck does not rule out that the federal government could also supply battle tanks like the “Leopard” to Ukraine. “We always check the situation, we coordinate with the other countries. And further decisions are also made within this corridor. That means: No, of course it’s not impossible,” said the Green politician in the Report from Berlin.
The Federal Minister of Economics pointed out that there had already been a great deal of movement in the decisions to supply everything from bazookas to the “Marder” infantry fighting vehicle. “I think this dynamic will continue as long as the war develops dynamically.”
“Of course, that’s not out of the question,” Robert Habeck, Federal Minister of Economics B’90/The Greens, on possible deliveries of Leopard tanks to the Ukraine
Report from Berlin 6:00 p.m., 01/08/2023
“Marder” decision “long overdue”
He described the “Marder” decision as “good” and “long overdue”. “And now we’re just letting things come across and continuing to see how the debate unfolds.”
After much hesitation, the federal government announced on Thursday that it would now deliver “Marder” infantry fighting vehicles and a Patriot air defense system to Kyiv. According to Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD), it is about “up to 40 Marder armored personnel carriers”. They should come from stocks of the Bundeswehr and the armaments industry.
Demands for further tank deliveries
Since the decision, there has been a debate as to whether Germany should also supply battle tanks. Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt told the newspapers of the Funke media group that it would be wrong to stand by the promise for “Marder” armored personnel carriers. “We should do and deliver everything that is possible. This also includes ‘Leopard’ tanks,” said the Green politician.
FDP Vice Wolfgang Kubicki told the Funke newspapers that it “could be sensible not only to deliver ‘Marder’ tanks but also ‘Leopard’ tanks”. However, he warned that every further step in supporting Ukraine must be closely coordinated with the NATO partners. He doesn’t think much of Germany going it alone on this issue.
Blade ax reticent
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil emphasized in an interview with RTL/ntv, “First of all, we need to coordinate with each other in the international alliance. No country supplies battle tanks that are as heavy as the ‘Leopard’ 1 or 2”. Klingbeil called it “right that the Americans, the French, but also we as the German government, are constantly considering whether we can now be involved in this war.”