Updated on 01/15/2023 11:48 am
- The British were the first to decide to supply Western main battle tanks to Ukraine.
- Poles and Finns want to follow suit. And what is Germany doing?
- Before the arms summit in Ramstein, the Ukrainian ambassador made an urgent appeal to the federal government.
Ahead of talks between Western allies on new arms deliveries to Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev urged the German government to quickly supply his country with Leopard 2 main battle tanks. “German weapons, German tanks are essential for survival”, he told the German Press Agency. “We have very little time to discuss. And we hope our allies understand this and act accordingly.”
Weapons summit at Ramstein is imminent
Next Friday, defense ministers from Ukraine’s western allies will meet at Ramstein Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate to discuss more military support for the fight against Russian attackers. Great Britain was the first country to announce that it would supply the Ukrainian armed forces with western-style main battle tanks – namely 14 units of its own Challenger 2 production. German to Europe network. The federal government has not yet taken a position on this.
The German armaments group Rheinmetall pointed out that it would take time to deliver repaired Leopard main battle tanks from their stockpiles to Ukraine. “Even if the decision is taken tomorrow that we can send our Leopard tanks to Kyiv, the delivery will take place by the beginning of next year”, said CEO Armin Papperger of “Bild am Sonntag”. Rheinmetall has 22 Leopard 2 vehicles and 88 of the older Leopard 1 model.
According to Makeiev, the recapture of Russian-controlled territories is not possible without Leopard tanks. He made it clear that any further delay would cost lives. “German guns save lives,” he said. “German anti-aircraft systems will help us to intercept the missiles, and German tanks will help us to liberate territories. And the atrocities committed there by Russian occupation forces will diminish.”
Makeiev speaks of “proxy war”
Battle tanks were among the “most important instruments of liberation”, Makeiev said. “In Germany they are being discussed, in Ukraine they are needed.”
The Ambassador reiterated that Ukraine is waging this war on behalf of all its allies. “There is a term for it in German: proxy war,” he said. “Nobody is fighting Russia anymore. But the Ukrainians are doing it. Russia is waging a war not just against Ukraine, but against Europe and the whole civilized and democratic world. And in this war, the Ukrainians are at the forefront. “
According to Makeiev, Ukraine also wants the delivery of combat aircraft. “Fighters are under discussion because they also help maintain air sovereignty,” he said. They are “high but not too high” on the priority list. “One should not focus too much on priorities when it comes to weapons supplies. Each weapon serves a specific part of our military.”
No understanding for the diplomatic advance of the SPD
The top diplomat reacted with incomprehension to pressure from the SPD parliamentary group for greater diplomatic efforts to reach a peace deal with Russia. “I don’t know of any politician who has successfully negotiated with Russia over the past 10 years and hasn’t lost any territory,” Makeiev said. Ukraine’s position is clear: “The peace talks must result in Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine, the conviction of war criminals, the payment of damages by Russia and no new Russian war capable of posing a threat to world peace again. “
On Friday, the SPD parliamentary group adopted a foreign policy position paper in which it advocates maintaining dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin and launching diplomatic initiatives to end the war.
Makeiev promises to visit Zelenskyy in Berlin
Makeiev can imagine that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will come to Germany after his spectacular visit to Washington last year. “I know that my president would very much like to come to Berlin if there is another major breakthrough in helping Ukraine,” he said. When asked if the delivery of the main battle tanks would be a major step forward, he said: “I can imagine a lot of important help that could still be provided. Our German colleagues know what is at stake.” © dpa