Selenskyj in ARD interview: “If you can give ‘leopard’ tanks, give them”

Status: 01/20/2023 01:24 am

Ukrainian President Zelenskyi has a central government ARDThe interview strongly criticized its hesitant approach on the battle tank question. “People die here – every day,” he said. His country wants to defend itself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskij sees Germany’s reluctant attitude towards supplying battle tanks as uncomprehending: “You are big. You can talk like that for six months, but people are dying here – every day,” Zelenskyj said. Interview with ARD.

“If you have ‘Leopard’ tanks, give them to us. If anyone cares, it’s not like we’re attacking. Those ‘Leopards’ aren’t going through Russia. We’re defending ourselves.”

The decision in favor or against the provision of “Leopard” tanks is a political decision: “If there is no political will on an issue, you don’t have to look for excuses. Then you say: No! You don’t want. Nothing or someone has to say that they are not ready yet,” Zelenskyy said.

Scholz is under pressure – and may set conditions

In the past few weeks, Especially the international pressure on President Olaf Schalz steadily strengthened. The central government should at least approve the supply of “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine from other countries, but even better, according to Eastern European countries, its own “Leopards”. Due to German regulations, the federal government must approve the delivery of German weapons systems to any country wishing to export.

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Even after that, Schaals repeatedly emphasized that he didn’t want to go it alone Great Britain is to offer its own “Challenger” main battle tanks announced.

Recently, several media outlets have reported in unison Scholz lays out the conditions for America: Germany will release the “Leopards” only if the US supplies its own “Abrams” type battle tanks. But US government officials did Washington has told various media that this is not currently planned. The company’s own tanks are very high maintenance and very complex.

Pistorius: He was not aware of the situation

New Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said ARD Brennpunkt, such a condition is unknown to him. Asked whether Germany would supply main battle tanks without the US, he said: “I’m sure we’ll make a decision on that in the next few days. But I can’t say today what it will be. .”

On Friday, representatives of countries supporting Ukraine will meet at the US base in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate. It will also be about military aid and the battle tank question.

Pistorius also said that the US is the biggest and most important ally within NATO, so as Europe’s biggest ally it is important that Germany works “in close cooperation with the Americans”. He rejected criticism of Germany: Germany, along with Great Britain, is Ukraine’s biggest supporter after the United States. “So the accusation that we’re doing nothing or that we’re making bad decisions, you can’t let that stand in the room,” Pistorius said.

Thanks to Germany and the US though

Im ARDInterviewed, Selenskyj also wants support for Ukrainian airspace: “It’s about protecting the sky. One really wants to open a new page in this war, in this defense.” Zelensky said Ukraine wants “the Russians to have no control over our airspace.”

At the same time, he thanked the federal government for the aid and military packages provided so far: “We are grateful. Everyone should hear it: we are grateful to Germany.”

With information from Rebecca Barth and Olaf Bock, WDR

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