Politico: Germany needs US help to take responsibility for security policy

WASHINGTON, January 26 – RIA Novosti. Germany cannot or does not want to take responsibility for its security policy, for which it needs the help of the United States. Writer Political newspaper.

American officials and experts told the newspaper that Germany’s decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine after the US agreed to supply Abrams to Kiev is positive for Germany, but in the short term. The interlocutors of the publication say that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz might be pleased to force Washington to listen to Berlin’s position. He also won’t have to answer “disturbing” questions about tanks at the Munich conference in February.

“This event was the second time Germany needed the US to escape the geopolitical stalemate because last year Scholz needed Biden’s protection to kill off the gas pipeline from Russia to Germany (US President Joe – ed.) Nord Stream – 2. It is now clearer than ever that Germany cannot or does not want to take the reins of its security policy. America needs to stand right behind it.

On Wednesday, the German government announced that it has decided to hand over the German Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Prior to this came greatly increased pressure by representatives of the government parties to give Olaf Scholz’s cabinet a positive decision on this matter as soon as possible.

Germany plans to establish two tank battalions. In the first phase, they plan to supply a company of 14 Leopard 2 type A6s from the Bundeswehr’s stocks. Berlin also plans to organize training in Germany for the Ukrainian army soon. In addition to 14 tanks and training, the new German aid package for Ukraine is said to include logistics, ammunition and maintenance.

Also Wednesday, the White House confirmed its intention to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. It will take several months for the cars to be delivered, according to US authorities. In addition, Washington plans to send eight M88 armored recovery vehicles to Kiev to service the tanks. As stated in the White House, the United States hopes that the supply of weapons to Ukraine will not only help Kiev in defense, but also allow it to seize lost territories, including the Crimea.

Russia had previously sent a note to NATO countries for arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation stated that NATO countries are “playing with fire” by supplying weapons to Ukraine. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov noted that pumping weapons into Ukraine from the West does not contribute to the success of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and will have a negative effect.