After weeks of mounting pressure, Chancellor Olaf Scholz paved the way on Tuesday for modern Leopard 2 tanks to be delivered to Ukraine, whether from Germany or any other country, multiple media reported.
The decision dropped after the US was reportedly “leaning towards” sending Ukraine its Abrams tanks, which are similar to Leopards when it comes to performance.
Germany has been hesitant about delivering tanks to Ukraine with Scholz repeatedly saying delivery would depend on the US and that Germany did not want to be the first country to deliver tanks to a war-torn country.
International partners, as well as coalition partners within Scholz’s coalition government all pressured the chancellor.
Among those in the German coalition, FDP member and Chairwoman of the Defence Committee in the Bundestag, Marie-Agnes Strack Zimmermann, was among the fiercest critics of Scholz’s refusal to support Ukraine with tanks.
“The fact that Germany is releasing the delivery of its Leopard 2 tank by partner countries and is also delivering it itself is redemptive news for the battered and brave Ukrainian people,” the liberal FDP politician told dpa.
The Greens also praised the decision, with the Vice-President of the Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, tweeting that “The Leopard is freed!”
“Now, hopefully, he can quickly help Ukraine in its fight against the Russian attack and for the freedom of Ukraine and Europe,” she added.
(Oliver Noyan | EURACTIV.de)
Source: euractiv.com
