The pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to also deliver “Leopard” main battle tanks to Ukraine is growing. International partners obviously feel alienated, even traffic light politicians climb onto his roof.
It was the first question and it was unequivocal: could he assure Ukraine that a decision on “Leopard” deliveries would be made without further delay? “Thank you very much for the question”, Germany will continue to make decisions “always closely coordinated with all our friends and allies”. Not more but also not less.
It is practically the same formulation that Olaf Scholz has been reeling off for weeks and months when it comes to German military aid to Ukraine, which is only being done in international solidarity and not on a national basis – as was the case at the joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday in Paris.
The 60th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty was celebrated, the basis of Franco-German friendship (). The battle tank debate was to accompany the chancellor all the way to the Sorbonne University. This should not least be due to Scholz himself, who only explains himself in monosyllables and in the same words. In doing so, he has obviously created a communicative gap that others fill – with the demand to deliver the “Leopard” tanks, the accusation of slowing down the aid and the fundamental question of what is actually behind Scholz’s reluctance.
Washington upset with Scholz, Warsaw wants to deliver
For the chancellor, the debate about the supply of main battle tanks is gradually becoming a stress test, with criticism pouring down from all sides. The USA in particular seems angry because the federal government is said to have made conditions for the “Leopard” deliveries to the White House. According to him, there was a war of words between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chancellor Wolfgang Schmidt. There was “at no time” a corresponding demand, and there is said to have been no dispute, but the impression that the federal government was slowing down was evident.
Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, for example, criticized Scholz’s (reluctance) attitude on the “leopard” question. After the Polish government had repeatedly promised to deliver the battle tanks to Ukraine if necessary without a German export license, Warsaw now wants to officially ask for a license. “We will apply for such a permit”, . And: “If the Germans are not in this coalition, we will still move our tanks together with others to Ukraine.”
This increases the pressure on Scholz to position himself and possibly grant delivery permits to other countries for the tanks produced in Germany (). In the end, the , too, had to clear the way. But will he?
The federal government is sending out different signals. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) defended the deliberation process on Sunday evening, saying that it was not just “a question of whether or not to deliver these tanks, but also to weigh up the consequences of inaction, but also of action”. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), on the other hand, went a lot further: According to her statements, Germany would not oppose the delivery of “Leopard” battle tanks from other countries. “We have not been asked before and (…) if we were asked, we would not stand in the way”, .
Baerbock answered the question of what would happen if Poland were to deliver “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine – Warsaw now wants to make the corresponding request. At the time, it was unclear whether Baerbock actually represented a final agreed position of the federal government. On Monday .
Differences in the traffic light coalition
The differences about Germany’s course on the tank issue are also becoming clear in the traffic light coalition. The chairwoman of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann from the FDP, and SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich. The social democrat Michael Roth even felt compelled to intervene: “Hey folks, our opponent’s name is Putin!”, .
The coalition members seem to be getting the impression that Ukraine policy is being made primarily in the chancellery – public criticism from traffic lights is getting louder. SPD General Secretary Kevin opposed “excessive criticism and personal hostility” and called it right to weigh up and coordinate with the allies in this phase of the war.
Greens and FDP, this argument is apparently no longer sufficient. They urge more speed in arms deliveries. “We now need the decision to deliver battle tanks quickly, and that should be made together with our European partners,” said Green security politician Agnieszka Brugger. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai said: “If you don’t want Ukraine to lose this war, you have to act.” It is true that Scholz “carefully weighs”. At the same time, he warned that it would be problematic “if Ukraine and its allies got the impression that Germany was delaying necessary decisions.”
It might already be too late for that. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Germany’s attitude had been shown on Monday. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, for example, said that Scholz had “a great responsibility to really take a step”. Before the expected Russian spring offensive, the Europeans would have to make sure “that the material is available (…) so that Ukraine can defend itself.” In other words: it’s Scholz’s turn.
Sources: , , , , , ,
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
