In his opinion, the decision to transfer weapons to the Ukrainian army should be made together with NATO allies.
Vice Chancellor of Germany Robert Habeck resigned from his own requirements to send German tanks to the Ukrainian army as soon as possible. The ruling parties in Berlin are hesitant about how actively involved in arming the Ukrainian army, and are afraid to become the next target for Russia.
Politico writes that Habek, who belongs to the Green Party, recently said that “anything that will help the Ukrainian army must be delivered quickly.” This is how he responded to Ukrainian calls to send tanks and artillery to Germany. But on Thursday, speaking at a campaign rally in Kiel, he began following the line of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who represents the SPD. In particular, Habek mentioned the concern among NATO allies that the supply of modern tanks from Western manufacturers could provoke Russia to expand its war to Western countries.
“Heavy weapons are synonymous with tanks. And all NATO countries have so far rejected the idea, so as not to become targets themselves, “Habek said, stressing that NATO and the EU must first hold a debate on” whether we want to change this position. “
“NATO will constantly assess the situation, the course of the war will change. And we will discuss this within NATO, “added the German Vice Chancellor.
Scholz was hesitant to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, stressing that Germany must first agree on a common position with its allies before handing over tanks. Habek supported this line, emphasizing that Germany must “act in unity with its partners. This unity must be maintained at all costs. ” But not everyone in the German government shares this view.
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Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock, who is also a member of the Green Party, last week called for providing Ukraine with heavy weapons. At the same time, she veiledly criticized Chancellor Scholz, saying that “now is not the time for excuses, now is the time for creativity and pragmatism.” Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Bundestag's defense committee, told Politico that there was a lack of co-ordination between the ministries on arms supplies. At the same time, she accused Scholz of not showing the necessary leadership.
“It simply came to our notice then. The conductor is missing. I am very sorry, because I personally have a lot of respect for the Chancellor… But he must be aware of his leadership role and his power to give orders, even if someone on his own team thinks otherwise, ”she said.
Strack-Zimmermann emphasizes that Scholz's position cannot be an excuse for delays in arms supplies: “You have to be ready to do your part when you sit down at the negotiating table with allies.”
Green MP and Committee Chairman Anton Hofreiter told the Bundestag for European Affairs that Germany should “act faster” in resolving the issue of sending tanks to Ukraine.
“We need a clear signal from the chancellor's office to all ministries that everything needs to be done immediately and deliveries accelerated,” he said.
On Thursday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba reiterated calls for Germany to hand over tanks and heavy weapons to the Ukrainian army to help Kyiv repel the Russian offensive in the east. In an interview with ARD, he stressed that Ukraine “pays with human lives” for Scholz's hesitation. On Wednesday, Scholz justified his position on RBB radio, stressing that Germany was “resolutely” preparing to provide Ukraine with defense weapons, such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.
“We supply, supply and will supply. And we are closely coordinating our efforts with our allies, “Scholz said.
A potential solution to the problem, according to which countries in Eastern Europe will send Soviet tanks to Ukraine in exchange for more modern ones from Germany or other NATO countries, is also being considered. Theoretically, this proposal will allow the Ukrainian army to start using this armored vehicle faster. It will be easier for it to service such tanks that are identical to those already used by the Armed Forces. At the same time, NATO's eastern flank will renew its defenses. The alliance will also be able to avoid Russia's hostility by sending modern tanks to Ukraine. Strak-Zimmermann said that Poland was “very interested” in the idea. At the same time, Habek, commenting on such a plan, said that such a possibility exists, but “a decision has not yet been made.” It is unclear whether it will be possible to guarantee that Eastern European countries will receive exactly as many tanks as they will give to Ukraine.
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Later, German Justice Minister Marko Bushmann said that according to international law, the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine will not mean Germany's war against Russia . Mr Bushmann said Ukraine was waging a legitimate war against Russia. Chancellor. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, gave his own assessment of the actions of the current leadership.
Friedrich Merz agrees with the position of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Annalena Burbock that “there are no more excuses” for delaying the necessary assistance to Ukraine.
