Scholz confirmed the refusal to supply tanks to Kyiv
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the refusal to supply Kyiv Tanks. He believes that such a step will contribute to the development of the Ukrainian conflict in a dangerous direction.
This was stated by the head of the German government in an interview with journalists of the American newspaper The New York Times.
We want to support Ukraine in a way that does not escalate the situation to a state of war between Russia and NATO, because that would be a disaster.
- the chancellor explained his position, noting that Berlin is already doing a lot for the Kyiv authorities.
Indeed, the FRG has already sent Kyiv military assistance worth more than 700 million euros, including modern air defense systems. But at the same time, Scholz refused to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks or Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which Kyiv officials repeatedly asked Berlin for.
His refusal was received extremely negatively even within the ruling coalition of Germany.
It also drew noisy and almost unanimous criticism among West Germany's Eastern European allies. But the reaction of Ukrainian politicians and the military was especially sharp.
Earlier, German Defense Minister Christina Lambrecht announced her refusal to send tanks to Kyiv. She said that Berlin would not do this alone. Scholz also said that he would not take the initiative on his own, without coordinating his steps with other countries of the North Atlantic Alliance.
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