Western forces agreed on Friday to increase military support for Ukraine, but Germany was hesitant about further tank deliveries to the EU, despite growing calls from Kiev and other allies.
“Today we cannot yet say when a decision will likely be made on the Leopard and what that decision will seem like,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the end of a gathering held at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base with several defense leaders from around the world, in including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
He stressed that he wanted Berlin to be prepared if and when a decision was made on the Leopard 2 tanks. He added that on Friday he ordered an inspection of the German Leopard 2 inventory, each in military stockpiles and domestic industry, before a possible decision.
“We do not really hesitate, we just balance the pros and cons very fastidiously [cons] “We’re not only talking about delivering anything to anyone, it is a recent sort of measure we’d select, so now we have to watch out because now we have a responsibility to look fastidiously and intensely at what the consequences might be for anyone on this conflict,” he said.
That is Pistorius’ second day in office, following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor Christine Lambrecht, who has come under intense national and international scrutiny for her ability to lead Berlin’s efforts in the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine has repeatedly asked its Western allies for battle tanks, with particular interest in the German Leopard 2s. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that deliveries of Western tanks must precede one other Russian attack.
Officials in Berlin appear to be concerned that the arms shipment could cause an escalation of hostilities with Moscow, which has already accused the West of waging a “proxy war” against Russia in Ukraine. Hours before the meeting, the Kremlin assured that Western tanks for Ukraine “wouldn’t change anything” and wouldn’t prevent Russia from achieving its goals, Reuters reported.
Pistorius emphasized that Germany is just not alone in upholding the decision to supply tanks:
“I actually have to say that there may be very clearly no unanimous opinion. The impression given from time to time that there’s a closed coalition and Germany stands in the way is fallacious. There are a lot of allies who say we share the opinion that I explained here today again, there are good reasons for delivery and there are good reasons against it,” he said in a CNBC translation.
Germany is now to supply Ukraine with 50 Cheetah anti-aircraft systems. Earlier this month, Berlin and Washington agreed a $3 billion aid package for Ukraine, under which Germany will supply Kiev with 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and a Patriot missile system. In turn, the United States will contribute 50 Bradley combat vehicles.
“The mobilization of the world must precede the next military mobilization of our common enemy,” Zelensky said during a videoconference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday.
Officials will now meet monthly, Austin said ahead of the Ramstein meeting, stressing how essential it’s for “nations of goodwill” to deal with “winning today’s fight and the struggles ahead.” On Friday, the US also urged allies to “dig deeper” in response to the war in Ukraine.
Europe on standby
Poland, Finland and the Baltic States have given the green light to deliver their very own Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. The Polish leadership expressed some frustration that Berlin had not yet followed suit.
“Consent is of secondary importance here, either we’ll get it quickly or we’ll do what we’d like to do ourselves,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday in an interview with Polsat News.
“An important thing is that Germany, but not only Germany … offer its modern tanks, modern heavy weapons, because Ukraine’s ability to defend its freedom may depend upon it.”
Britain announced it will deliver 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine on Saturday, making the country the first to send such Western combat vehicles to Kiev.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told CNBC on Thursday that the issue of sending tanks to Ukraine was a “delicate decision”.
“I agree that there may be an argument to be sent [tanks] to Ukraine. There’s also an argument to make a decision along with others, including our friends in the US,” Rutte said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
He added that he was “quite optimistic” that the situation “may lead to a landing”.