KIL, Germany – German Vice Chancellor Robert Habek on Thursday backed support for sending tanks to Ukraine amid disagreements in Berlin’s ruling parties over how much to get involved and fears of becoming Russia’s next target.
Habek, a member of the Greens, said just two days ago that “everything that is now helping the Ukrainian army must be delivered quickly,” in response to Kyiv’s demands for Germany to send tanks and artillery. But on Thursday, speaking to POLITICO at a rally in local elections in the northern German city of Kiel, he took a different stance, more in line with his Social Democratic chief, Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In particular, Habek cited concerns from NATO allies that supplies of modern tanks from Western manufacturers could force Russia to expand its war to Western countries.
“Heavy weapons are synonymous with tanks, and all NATO countries have so far ruled this out so that they do not become targets themselves,” said Habek, who is also Germany’s economy and climate minister, adding that NATO must decide “whether to change this in advance.” agreed line or not.
Scholz was hesitant to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, arguing that Germany must first reach a common line with the Allies before agreeing to send tanks.
But this position is not shared among all members of the ruling coalition parties, made up of the Scholz Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).
Foreign Minister Analena Burbock, a member of the Green Party like Habek, called for the supply of “heavy weapons” to Ukraine this week, while criticizing Scholz lightly, saying “now is not the time to apologize; now is the time for creativity and pragmatism. ”
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann of the FDP, chair of the Bundestag’s defense committee, told POLITICO on Thursday that there had been a lack of co-ordination between the various ministries when it came to deciding on arms supplies, and accused Scholz of has not shown the required level of leadership.
“This creates a choir whose members sing very well, but have not yet found a common tone. The director’s baton is missing, “she said, adding:” I am sorry for this because I have great personal respect for the chancellor. ” ranks. “
Greens MP Anton Hofreiter, chairman of the Bundestag’s European Affairs Committee, said Germany “must now act much faster” in deciding to send tanks to Ukraine. “We need a clear message from the chancellor to all ministries that everything must be done now to speed up these deliveries.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday reiterated his call on Germany to supply Ukraine with tanks and other heavy weapons to help Kyiv repel the expected Russian offensive in the east. Ukraine is paying the price for Scholz’s hesitation “with human lives”, Kuleba told German public television ARD.
Scholz defended his position in an interview with rbb radio on Wednesday, saying his government had set Germany on a “decisive course” to supply Ukraine with defense weapons such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles. “We deliver, we deliver and we will deliver. And we coordinate closely with all our allies what we do. “
Rolf Mützenic, chairman of the PSD’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag, dismissed criticism from Greens and FDP deputies on Thursday, while suggesting that tank supplies to Ukraine could have consequences for Germany’s own security.
“Calling for unprecedented decisions without being responsible for them is wrong – especially since they could have far-reaching consequences for the security of our country and NATO,” Mutzenich said.
FDP’s Strak-Zimmermann responded on Twitter, suggesting that Mützenich did not understand the historic change in German foreign and security policy since Russia’s invasion called the Zeitenwende (“turning point”), which Scholz announced in late February.
“He cannot accept that an old, hard worldview has collapsed,” she wrote.
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