Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that Germany would not send fighter jets to Ukraine, despite Kiev’s pleas to the West.
Scholz agreed on Wednesday (25th) to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other European countries to send vehicles of the same model, after weeks of intense debates and pressure from allies.
“I can only advise against getting involved in a constant bidding war for weapon systems,” Scholz said in an interview with the Tagesspiegel.
“Yes, once a decision has been made [sobre os tanques], the following debate begins in Germany. It doesn’t look serious and undermines citizens’ trust in government decisions,” he added.
Scholz’s decision to give the green light to deploy the combat vehicles was accompanied by the US announcement that it would send 31 Abrams vehicles.
Ukrainian President Volodmir Zelensk thanked Berlin and Washington for the decision, which is seen as a major step forward in efforts to help the wartorn country.
But Zelenskyy immediately said Ukraine needed more heavy weapons from NATO allies (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to defend against Russian troops, including fighter jets and longrange missiles.
In the interview, Scholz warned against increasing “the risk of escalation” because Russia had already sharply condemned the promises of tanks.
“There is no war between NATO and Russia. We will not allow such an escalation,” he assured, declaring that it was “necessary” to continue dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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