AreaRead the video transcript expand here
Olaf Scholz is the only G7 head of government and thus one of the highest-ranking speakers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where one topic is in the foreground this year: the Ukraine war - and Kiev's demand for battle tanks.
What would Scholz say about that?
David Böcking, DER SPIEGEL
»Before Olaf Scholz's speech here in Davos, there were once again very clear demands for the delivery of »Leopard 2 tanks«.
These were collected here at the World Economic Forum by the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland, among others.
And Scholz said in his speech, but he didn't go into it any further in his speech.
Instead, Scholz today focused very much on presenting the progress of the energy transition in Germany and also made a rather ambitious promise, namely that in 2045 his successor here in Davos will present Germany as one of the first climate-neutral industrialized countries.«
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor
»Germany can be flexible, we can be unbureaucratic and we can be fast.
In this context I spoke of a new "Germany speed", a new German speed.«
In his speech, Scholz again promised that Germany would support Ukraine permanently.
David Böcking, DER SPIEGEL
»He also listed all the weapons systems Germany had already supplied.
But he made no further commitments on this specific issue of tanks.
At least that didn't go down so well with everyone in the hall.
At the end of this speech, a gentleman from the Ukraine made a request to speak, who once again very emphatically demanded that Germany should deliver these tanks or promise to deliver them.«
Listener
»Today we expected you to finally make a decision.
It seems that Germany's Western allies, the US and other countries are ready to get involved.
Only German hesitation prevented this.
So my question to you is: why are you hesitating and why are you waiting?”
Scholz remained vague.
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor
»We will continue to be a great supporter.
As you know, we decided that we will not only supply weapons, but those that are very effective, and artillery from Germany with our Panzerhaubitze 2000 and multiple rocket launcher that we supplied are very effective and help in this war of Ukraine to defend its integrity and sovereignty.«
The World Economic in Davos, Switzerland lasts until January 20th.
Ukraine's western allies want to vote on further deliveries of main battle tanks in Ramstein on Friday.