The reason Germany hesitated to give Ukraine 100 modern tanks

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 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz explained why Germany delayed the decision to give Ukraine 100 tanks in the war with Russia.


Politico reported that German Chancellor Scholz is delaying making a decision to aid modern tanks to Ukraine in the context of the war between Kiev and Russia entering its 7th week.


The plan was promoted by German Deputy Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Two Green Party members of Mr. Scholz's ruling coalition called for aid to Ukraine with 100 tanks.


A final decision on the aid is expected to be made this week, amid speculation by Germany and the West that Russia's military campaign in Ukraine could drag on for months or even years.


However, Scholz said that Germany needs to reach a consensus with its Western allies on this before delivering such heavy military equipment to Ukraine.


"We are setting everything up properly and logically," Chancellor Scholz told the German parliament when asked about the delivery of the tanks. He added that it is important for Germany to work with our EU and NATO partners to ensure that "our military aid follows the same mechanism and that no one is in a hurry to get ahead - including Germany." .


"I believe that Germany would make a grave mistake to accept a special role and go on a special path (in relation to the Russia-Ukraine war)," he said.


Earlier, German officials had rejected the option of giving Ukraine complex military equipment such as tanks to Kiev, although they had previously made the historic move of transferring anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. Ukraine. Germany believes that, with equipment such as tanks, it will take weeks or months to train Ukrainian soldiers to use them.


In the context that the war could last longer, the West has begun to consider supplying Ukraine with weapons that can be used in the later stages of hostilities.


Mr. Scholz's reluctance appears to have been criticized by parties in the ruling coalition. They argue that Germany needs to show leadership in the EU and NATO and should not lag behind other countries.


While the Czech government is believed to have sent Ukraine Soviet-era tanks familiar to the Ukrainian military, the German tanks, if aided, would mark a new level of weaponry. burden that the West moved to Ukraine.


Germany is said to be considering transferring Marder light tanks and armored vehicles equipped with anti-tank missiles. In addition, world-class tanks such as the Leopard are also under consideration.


However, one problem for Germany if it decides to transfer heavy weapons such as tanks, it will need to train Ukrainian soldiers to use it, train technical staff to maintain the weapons and ensure the supply. supply ammunition and components for tanks in the long run. This would be quite a logistical challenge as it would not be possible on Ukrainian soil as Germany did not want to accidentally become a party to the war.

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