BERLIN – German Chancellor Olaf Soltz is delaying a final decision on whether to provide Ukraine with high-quality tanks for its fight against Russia, despite pressure from several other senior officials, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The plan, launched by Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Hubbek and Foreign Minister Annalena Bayerbock – both senior members of the Greens – will include about 100 tanks. It comes amid growing acceptance in Berlin and other Western capitals that Russia’s war in Ukraine could last for months or years, and as Kyiv makes direct appeals for such equipment. The decision on the matter was initially expected this week. But it is now deadlocked as the Social Democrat chancellor – to the disappointment of his ruling coalition partners – argues that Germany must first reach a common position with its Western allies on the issue before handing over such heavy military equipment, officials said. “We are launching what is right and reasonable,” the chancellor told the Bundestag on Wednesday when asked about tank deliveries. However, Scholz added that it was important for him to coordinate between the EU and NATO partners to ensure that “we provide such military support in the same way and that no one is in a hurry – including Germany”. He added: “I think this is exactly an issue where it would be a serious mistake for Germany to take on a special role and a special path.” NATO foreign ministers discussed military support for Ukraine on Wednesday and Thursday, but did not provide details on the supply of tanks. Earlier, German officials had ruled out delivering more sophisticated Western military equipment, such as tanks, to Kyiv – despite Berlin’s historic decision in February to deliver anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers to use them. However, as it looked like the war would last longer, officials say they have begun considering supplies on the battlefield that Ukraine could use at a later stage. Russia is currently regrouping, withdrawing troops from Kyiv and possibly planning a major offensive in eastern Ukraine in the coming weeks, according to Western officials. The chancellor’s reluctance has provoked reactions from his coalition partners, the Greens and the Liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP). While cabinet members have so far refrained from public criticism – Baerbock has simply indicated to reporters that it is in favor of delivering more advanced weapons systems – lawmakers have been more honest. Anton Hofreiter of the Greens, chairman of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee, said it was important for Germany to show “leadership” in the EU and NATO and not hide behind other countries. “I am in favor of repealing the decision of the German cabinet not to supply heavy weapons as soon as possible,” Hofreiter told POLITICO. FDP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Bundestag’s defense committee, also urged Scholz in an interview with the Stuttgarter Zeitung to “quickly” approve the delivery of tanks. Leading lawmakers from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the main opposition party, have also pushed for the supply of tanks. Social Democrat Michael Roth, chairman of the Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, backed the chancellor’s argument, saying “we need an understanding within NATO on the delivery of heavy equipment such as tanks”. However, he said he would like Germany to find a way to move the plan forward: “What Ukraine needs right now must be delivered.”
Accounting problems
While the Czech government has reportedly already sent Soviet-era tanks and armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, which are identical to the models already used by the Ukrainian army, German tanks will signal a new level of heavy western warfare. Germany is specifically considering sending “Marder” light tanks, armored vehicles equipped with anti-tank missiles. The German defense company Rheinmetall has indicated that it could provide 100 such tanks, which are currently located on the company’s territory, officials said. Politicians are also debating whether Berlin could supply Leopard’s world-class, heavy-duty tanks in a similar way. “Rheinmetall reportedly has not only Marder, but also heavier weapons,” said Hofreiter of the Greens. Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, told Deutschlandfunk radio on Thursday that Kyiv “expects” Berlin to deliver Marder and Leopard tanks, as well as the Gepard anti-aircraft tank. “The lists are there, the German government knows about them, but unfortunately it remains silent to this day,” Melnik said. However, there are logistical problems: Germany will have to train Ukrainian soldiers to use these tanks, teach engineers how to maintain them and ensure the supply of ammunition and spare parts, officials said. Strak-Zimmermann warned that such steps could not be taken on Ukrainian soil “because according to international law, then we would be part of the war.” Baerbok, the foreign minister, said earlier this week that Berlin was seeking to solve “technical problems with the delivery and use” of more advanced weapons to Kyiv. Another practical problem: Because the tanks at Rheinmetall’s stadiums are heavily decommissioned military equipment, they would have to be refurbished before being sent to Ukraine. One solution could be to send identical models from the German army to Ukraine and later replace the army tanks with refurbished ones. However, a German Defense Ministry official, led by Scholz’s Social Democrat colleague Christine Lambrecht, warned that such a move could affect Germany’s immediate military capabilities within the NATO alliance. Thorsten Benner, director of the World Public Policy Institute in Berlin, has argued that Germany, which has been criticized for opposing tougher energy sanctions on Russia over its dependence on Russian gas, should compensate with tanks. “I think it is crucial for German credibility not to put the brakes on everywhere, but to have an area in which we lead,” he said. “And especially if it is impossible for Germany to stop billions in gas payments to Putin in the near future, then tanks would be a good alternative.”
