> In the event that other countries apply for approval for a “Leopard” delivery, Foreign Minister Baerbock promises a green light. However, she does not repeat this statement. Scholz’s spokesperson does not back her up either.
>
> The German government wants to decide on possible applications for a transfer of “Leopard” battle tanks to Ukraine with the established procedures. When asked whether Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was speaking for the entire federal government with her statement that Germany would not oppose the delivery of “Leopard” battle tanks from other countries to Ukraine, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit did not give a precise answer. He said: “I would perhaps like to put it this way: If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-rehearsed procedures for answering such a request. And we all abide by them.
>
> According to Baerbock, Germany would not oppose the delivery of “Leopard” battle tanks from other countries to Ukraine. “We have not been asked so far and (…) if we were asked, we would not stand in the way,” the Green politician had told the French broadcaster LCI. Baerbock was responding to the question of what would happen if Poland delivered “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine. It remained unclear, however, whether she was actually representing a final agreed position of the German government.
>
> Baerbock did not repeat her statement before consultations of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Asked whether the German government would allow a third country to export the equipment, she merely said that it was “important that we as an international community do everything to defend Ukraine, so that Ukraine wins”. Meanwhile, Poland’s head of government, Mateusz Morawiecki, announced that he would ask the German government for permission for the delivery.
>
> **”Passions lead to exaggerations”**
>
> Hebestreit said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz felt confirmed in his course of detailed consideration of the issue. In view of the conference of Ukraine’s supporting states in Ramstein last week, the decision had been taken to supply the attacked country with infantry fighting vehicles. Hebestreit: “And two weeks later there is a discussion where one has the feeling that Ukraine, armed with spear and slingshot, has to defend itself against Russian aggression.”
>
> With regard to increasingly energetic demands from Ukraine and also within Germany for battle tanks for Ukraine, the government spokesperson said: “We are having passionate debates, and these passions also lead to exaggerations on all sides from time to time.” That should be allowed and “not every word should be weighed in the balance”. Ukraine can rely on Germany, he said. One must have understanding for statements from Kiev. Hebestreit: “It is literally a matter of life and death.
>
> **Klingbeil speaks of “cross shots” by the coalition partners**
>
> Meanwhile, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil criticised “cross shots” from politicians of the FDP and the Greens and suggested that the party leaders of the coalition partners intervene. “I know what I would do as party leader if such cross shots were constantly coming from my party,” said Scholz’s party colleague. “I would talk to the relevant people. It doesn’t reflect well on one’s own party leadership if there are always people like that.”
>
> In recent days, the dispute within the coalition over the delivery of Leopard 2 battle tanks has escalated. FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the defence committee in the Bundestag, described the chancellor’s communication on the tank issue as a “disaster”. The chair of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter of the Green Party, told the newspapers of the Funke-Mediengruppe that the German government was making a “considerable mistake” with its hesitation and was forfeiting trust. “This must now be corrected quickly.”
This whole saga is hilarious, with the real kicker being that Germany’s (at best) awful PR meaning that whatever happens now, the US has them done up like a kipper.
Oh but I thought this was all just Polish Propaganda?
Countries just need to formally ask, right? Right?
The SPD has been begging to get voted out of the government for years. But they could at least wait until the next election.
Since its a vote and doesnt need the go from the chancelor itself the greens and fdp can greenlight that by themself
Too late to row back now. I am in favor of considerate action, but I would hope that somebody asks for an export license now just to see what happens.
Proud to say that I never voted for SPD
The statement makes sense, no?
There is no export clearance via media interview. The same what Poland was criticized for with trying to get an export going via Twitter messages. That is not the way it works in the adult world.
The government speaker simply clarifies: *”If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not yet the case, there are established procedures for responding to such a request. And we all adhere to these.”*
And water is wet.
Scholz has to think about his country, and knows very well that sending panzer Leopards to Ukraine would worsen its condition internationally, as well as making Germany the target for the next retaliation. It’s obvious to anyone with at least two functioning neurons that someone doesn’t want peace, and that’s not Putin.
Am I the only that is getting conflicting/confusing messages? I’m reading one day that Germany will not deny sending tanks, but the next day that they ‘not clearly back’?
Everyone hide! watch yourselves from the horde of Germans saying that you cannot criticize Germany because if you do you’re utilizing Russian divide/conquer tactics.
I just hope that this clusterfuck of a situation finally puts to the rest the idea of common EU army.
How lazy are the Poles that they still have not put in a request? Or are they stalling because they don’t want to send Leos? What else could it be? Too busy talking to the press to actually try saving Ukrainian lives?
Fuck it, I will help. Poland, just give me the authority via twitter and I will write the official request for free. If other countries are interested in this service too, contact me on social media.
Russia: Every action will have a reaction
Germamy: OMG 😱😱😱 i am so scared!!!
Of course he doesn’t!
Has he been anything else from the beginning of the war than a Russia’s puppet?
Every time I hear his name I feel disgust!
Scholz said nothing according to the article. They just quote the goverment speaker:
“I would like to put it this way: If such an application were made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-established procedures in which such a request is answered. And we all adhere to them.”
17 comments
> In the event that other countries apply for approval for a “Leopard” delivery, Foreign Minister Baerbock promises a green light. However, she does not repeat this statement. Scholz’s spokesperson does not back her up either.
>
> The German government wants to decide on possible applications for a transfer of “Leopard” battle tanks to Ukraine with the established procedures. When asked whether Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was speaking for the entire federal government with her statement that Germany would not oppose the delivery of “Leopard” battle tanks from other countries to Ukraine, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit did not give a precise answer. He said: “I would perhaps like to put it this way: If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-rehearsed procedures for answering such a request. And we all abide by them.
>
> According to Baerbock, Germany would not oppose the delivery of “Leopard” battle tanks from other countries to Ukraine. “We have not been asked so far and (…) if we were asked, we would not stand in the way,” the Green politician had told the French broadcaster LCI. Baerbock was responding to the question of what would happen if Poland delivered “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine. It remained unclear, however, whether she was actually representing a final agreed position of the German government.
>
> Baerbock did not repeat her statement before consultations of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels. Asked whether the German government would allow a third country to export the equipment, she merely said that it was “important that we as an international community do everything to defend Ukraine, so that Ukraine wins”. Meanwhile, Poland’s head of government, Mateusz Morawiecki, announced that he would ask the German government for permission for the delivery.
>
> **”Passions lead to exaggerations”**
>
> Hebestreit said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz felt confirmed in his course of detailed consideration of the issue. In view of the conference of Ukraine’s supporting states in Ramstein last week, the decision had been taken to supply the attacked country with infantry fighting vehicles. Hebestreit: “And two weeks later there is a discussion where one has the feeling that Ukraine, armed with spear and slingshot, has to defend itself against Russian aggression.”
>
> With regard to increasingly energetic demands from Ukraine and also within Germany for battle tanks for Ukraine, the government spokesperson said: “We are having passionate debates, and these passions also lead to exaggerations on all sides from time to time.” That should be allowed and “not every word should be weighed in the balance”. Ukraine can rely on Germany, he said. One must have understanding for statements from Kiev. Hebestreit: “It is literally a matter of life and death.
>
> **Klingbeil speaks of “cross shots” by the coalition partners**
>
> Meanwhile, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil criticised “cross shots” from politicians of the FDP and the Greens and suggested that the party leaders of the coalition partners intervene. “I know what I would do as party leader if such cross shots were constantly coming from my party,” said Scholz’s party colleague. “I would talk to the relevant people. It doesn’t reflect well on one’s own party leadership if there are always people like that.”
>
> In recent days, the dispute within the coalition over the delivery of Leopard 2 battle tanks has escalated. FDP politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the defence committee in the Bundestag, described the chancellor’s communication on the tank issue as a “disaster”. The chair of the European Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter of the Green Party, told the newspapers of the Funke-Mediengruppe that the German government was making a “considerable mistake” with its hesitation and was forfeiting trust. “This must now be corrected quickly.”
Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
This whole saga is hilarious, with the real kicker being that Germany’s (at best) awful PR meaning that whatever happens now, the US has them done up like a kipper.
Oh but I thought this was all just Polish Propaganda?
Countries just need to formally ask, right? Right?
The SPD has been begging to get voted out of the government for years. But they could at least wait until the next election.
Since its a vote and doesnt need the go from the chancelor itself the greens and fdp can greenlight that by themself
Too late to row back now. I am in favor of considerate action, but I would hope that somebody asks for an export license now just to see what happens.
Proud to say that I never voted for SPD
The statement makes sense, no?
There is no export clearance via media interview. The same what Poland was criticized for with trying to get an export going via Twitter messages. That is not the way it works in the adult world.
The government speaker simply clarifies: *”If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not yet the case, there are established procedures for responding to such a request. And we all adhere to these.”*
And water is wet.
Scholz has to think about his country, and knows very well that sending panzer Leopards to Ukraine would worsen its condition internationally, as well as making Germany the target for the next retaliation. It’s obvious to anyone with at least two functioning neurons that someone doesn’t want peace, and that’s not Putin.
Am I the only that is getting conflicting/confusing messages? I’m reading one day that Germany will not deny sending tanks, but the next day that they ‘not clearly back’?
Everyone hide! watch yourselves from the horde of Germans saying that you cannot criticize Germany because if you do you’re utilizing Russian divide/conquer tactics.
I just hope that this clusterfuck of a situation finally puts to the rest the idea of common EU army.
How lazy are the Poles that they still have not put in a request? Or are they stalling because they don’t want to send Leos? What else could it be? Too busy talking to the press to actually try saving Ukrainian lives?
Fuck it, I will help. Poland, just give me the authority via twitter and I will write the official request for free. If other countries are interested in this service too, contact me on social media.
Russia: Every action will have a reaction
Germamy: OMG 😱😱😱 i am so scared!!!
Of course he doesn’t!
Has he been anything else from the beginning of the war than a Russia’s puppet?
Every time I hear his name I feel disgust!
Scholz said nothing according to the article. They just quote the goverment speaker:
“I would like to put it this way: If such an application were made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-established procedures in which such a request is answered. And we all adhere to them.”