Germany Gives Green Light to Poland's Tank Transfer to Ukraine

Germany Gives Green Light to Poland's Tank Transfer to Ukraine

According to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the German government will not block Poland's decision to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks. Baerbock stated that Poland has not formally requested Berlin's approval to share the German-made tanks, but if they were to do so, Germany would not object. This indicates a potential shift towards supplying weapons that Ukraine considers crucial in defending against a potential Russian offensive.

During an interview with French TV channel LCI, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that German officials understand the importance of Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine and are currently discussing the matter with their partners. This comes after a meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday, where international defense leaders discussed Ukraine's urgent request for the tanks and the failure to reach an agreement overshadowed the new commitments of military aid to Ukraine.

Germany, a major contributor of weapons to Ukraine, has ordered a review of its Leopard 2 stocks in anticipation of a potential approval. However, the German government has been cautious in increasing military aid to Ukraine, a hesitation believed to stem from its history and political culture. This has led to criticism, particularly from Poland and the Baltic states, which are on NATO's eastern flank and feel particularly threatened by Russia's increased aggression.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated that if Germany does not agree to transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Poland is prepared to form a coalition of countries that will send tanks to Ukraine, regardless of Germany's decision.
In an interview with Polish state news agency PAP, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, "Almost a year has passed since the outbreak of war. Evidence of the Russian army's war crimes can be seen on television and on YouTube. What more does Germany need to open its eyes and start to act in line with the potential of the German state?"

Previously, officials in Poland have mentioned that Finland and Denmark are also willing to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

On Sunday, Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, warned that governments that provide more powerful weapons to Ukraine risk causing a "global tragedy that would destroy their countries."

"Supplying offensive weapons to the Kyiv regime would result in a global catastrophe," said Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament. He added that if Washington and NATO supply weapons that would be used for striking peaceful cities and attempting to seize Russian territory, as they threaten to do, it would trigger a retaliation with more powerful weapons.

In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that he has instructed his Defense Minister to explore the possibility of sending Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a news conference in Paris with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, that France is considering sending Leclerc battle tanks to Ukraine, but the decision would be based on three criteria: that it should not lead to an escalation of the conflict, that it would provide efficient and workable help when training time is taken into account, and that it wouldn't weaken France's own military. The two countries are commemorating the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty and in a joint declaration, they committed to their "unwavering support" for Ukraine.

Scholz did not comment on Leopard 2 tanks during the news conference but mentioned that Germany has already made substantial military contributions to Ukraine, and decisions are closely coordinated with important allies and friends.

Two leading lawmakers in Washington have called for the United States to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, in order to overcome Germany's reluctance to share its own, more advanced tanks.

Rep. Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on ABC's "This Week on Sunday" that if the U.S. announced it was giving one Abrams tank, it would "unleash" the flow of tanks from Germany and that he hears Germany is waiting for the U.S. to take the lead. Similarly, Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also advocates for the U.S. to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

"If it requires our sending some Abrams tanks in order to unlock getting the Leopard tanks from Germany, from Poland, from other allies, I would support that," said Sen. Chris Coons. Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council, commented on Friday's U.S.-led meeting at the airbase in Germany, saying that it left no doubt that their enemies will try to exhaust or better destroy Russia, and they have enough weapons to achieve the purpose. Medvedev, a former Russian president, warned that in case of a prolonged conflict, Russia could seek to form a military alliance with nations that are fed up with the Americans and their allies. Ukraine has argued that they need more weapons as they anticipate Russia's forces launching a new offensive in the spring.

Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine's Security and Defense Council, warned that Russia may try to increase its attacks in the south and east, and cut supply channels of Western weapons, while also stated that conquering Kyiv "remains the main dream" in President Vladimir Putin's "fantasies." He described the Kremlin's goal in the conflict as a "total and absolute genocide, a total war of destruction" in a column published by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Sunday, also called for more arms for Ukraine. Johnson, who was pictured in the Kyiv region town of Borodyanka, said he traveled to Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky. He stated that “This is the moment to double down and to give the Ukrainians all the tools they need to finish the job. The sooner Putin fails, the better for Ukraine and for the whole world.”

The past week has been especially tragic for Ukraine, even by the standards of a brutal war that has been ongoing for nearly a year, killing tens of thousands of people, uprooting millions more, and causing vast destruction of Ukrainian cities. A barrage of Russian missiles struck an apartment complex in the southeastern city of Dnipro on January 14th, killing at least 45 civilians. On Wednesday, a government helicopter crashed into a building housing a kindergarten in a suburb of Kyiv, killing 14 people including Ukraine's Interior Minister and other officials.

President Zelensky pledged on Sunday that Ukraine will ultimately prevail in the war, he said "We are united because we are strong. We are strong because we are united." as he marked Ukraine Unity Day, which commemorates when east and west Ukraine were united in 1919.