AreaRead the video transcriptopen here
Tank delivery debate
yes, no, maybe?
Scholz adorns himself, Baerbock shows a clear edge: how Germany stands on the deliveries of Leopard 2 tanks - summarized in the video.
Is there movement in the debate about the delivery of Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine?
At least Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock seems to be in favor of it - on the fringes of the Franco-German ministerial meeting in Paris.
Source: Twitter/LCI
In an interview on French television, she was asked what if, for example, Poland wanted to deliver Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
The question has not yet been officially asked, but if asked, they will not stand in the way - explains Baerbock.
Germany would not block the export of Leopard tanks from third countries to Ukraine.
The moderator asks: Did he understand that correctly, so Germany wouldn't mind if Poland planned to do this?
Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister
»You understood me correctly.«
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the other hand, did not want to commit himself at the press conference in the Elysée Palace.
Germany is going ahead – as always:
Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor
»The way we have proceeded in the past.
Always closely coordinated with all our friends and allies, we will continue to discuss the specific situation
in the future.
We must fear that this war will last a very long time.
And that's why it's important for Ukraine to know that we won't let up in our support and will act as long as necessary.
But that's why this principle, which has carried us so well through the last few years, remains important for the future.
We only act in close coordination with each other.
«
Meanwhile, international pressure on Scholz is growing: Kyiv has been demanding the Leopard 2 tanks for months, as have its western allies.
They fear that Russia could launch a new offensive in the spring.
And now the pressure on Scholz seems to be growing even within the government and within its own ranks: a clear yes or no is expected.
