Germany may deliberately delay the delivery of Leopard to Ukraine: Chaly names reasons
Germany has not yet officially authorized the supply of modern Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, despite calls from Kyiv and its allies.
Recently, the media has revealed the likely reason for Berlin’s refusal to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2s. They say that if Germany gives other countries the green light for re-export, it may later lose its current markets. In addition, American Abrams tanks can actively flood the European market. This could weaken Germany’s influence.
However, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States in 2015-2019, Valeriy Chaly, is convinced that it is likely that Germany’s top leadership planned to deliberately delay the transfer of battle tanks for several months, possibly because of agreements with Russia.
– In my opinion, Germany is deliberately delaying the delivery of heavy weapons for several months. Either it is an agreement or a feeling that it is not necessary to go ahead of the Anglo-Saxons – the British and Americans – in order not to completely sever ties with Russia, which historically still puts pressure on Germany, in particular with the presence of its intelligence services and information operations,” the diplomat noted.
According to Chaly, Germany looks strange from a reputational and image point of view. After all, since September it has been one of the largest suppliers of weapons, helping Ukraine in humanitarian and financial aspects. And yet, at the same time, it receives the most negative publicity because of the hesitation of its top leadership.
One of the possible reasons for blocking the delivery of Leopard 2 to Ukraine – fears of escalation – is also unfounded.
– We can see from previous deliveries that if the weapons arrive, they are already being used by Ukrainians, and escalation decreases. Because then Russia is afraid to take any steps at the front. They must provide us with tanks, because this is not only our war. It is a war for security in Europe,” emphasized Valeriy Chaly.
Today, during the meeting between German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the official Berlin representative stood his ground again: they are still preparing the final decision on tanks, and the situation has not changed so far.
But Stoltenberg said that a decision on the tanks would be made soon. According to Valeriy Chaly, Germany will eventually agree to the delivery, but given the flurry of political statements from various countries and the degree of dissatisfaction, it is waiting for the right time.
– It’s simple: the newly appointed German foreign minister arrives in Kyiv in the near future and announces the supply of tanks, or at least the permission to supply other countries. I really hope that Germany will do so and correct its image and reputational mistakes,” said Chaly.
Commenting on why it is important for Germany itself to make a positive decision on the tanks, the diplomat explained that it is a matter of leadership and image of one of the most powerful countries in Europe.
Today, Germany and France are competing for leadership in Europe with the United Kingdom. Constant hesitation on the issue of the war in Ukraine does not add points to the Germans and the French.
– These are countries that have now taken a backseat to the UK, which is helping Ukraine by supplying Challenger tanks. The UK has become the engine of Europe’s development, yet it is not even a member of the European Union.
Germany and France don’t like it, they want to take over the leadership again. But if you don’t supply Ukraine with tanks, your locomotive will be on the siding forever. Take this step and you will become a leader,” the diplomat summarized.
As you know, the issue of providing Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks was discussed at the eighth meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense (in the Ramstein format) on January 20 in Germany. However, Berlin did not unblock the re-export of these weapons at that time.
Germany is the country that manufactures Leopard tanks, which is why it must authorize their delivery to other countries.
On January 24, it became known that Poland had sent Berlin an official request for permission to transfer Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
