Der Spiegel newspaper explains that Germany has slowed down the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine

The Ria Novosti news agency quotes Der Spiegel magazine (Germany) as saying that Berlin was hesitant to provide Ukraine tanks against Russian forces, citing “historical reasons”.

Officials, anonymously, told Der Spiegel newspaper that there was concern within the government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that the Kiev government could be overconfident if it achieved battlefield victories and forces Ukrainian forces can launch an attack inside Russia.

According to Der Spiegel, such a move “would mean that German tanks were once again entering Russian territory”, referring to Nazi Germany’s 1941 offensive against the Soviet Union.

The fact that officials fear German weapons could strike inside Russia shows a certain skepticism in Berlin towards the administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. And that is also one reason why the German defense industry is not authorized to supply battle tanks.” So far, only Poland and the Czech Republic have supplied tanks to the government. Kiev, not major arms exporters like the US, UK and France.

The source said that although a ban on the transfer of tanks has never been discussed between the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Washington, London and Paris have reached an informal agreement. aware of this issue. And Germany may never become the first country to transfer to Ukraine battle tanks “for historical reasons”.

Since the Russian-Ukrainian conflict broke out in late February, Germany has been one of the Western countries to voice support for the Kiev government, but Berlin has only provided Kiev with light weapons. According to Welt am Sonntag newspaper, so far only two German shipments have arrived in Ukraine, between March 30 and May 26.

German-made Leopard A4 main battle tank. Photo: RT

Meanwhile, the delivery of heavy weapons such as 30 Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, 7 Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers and 4 MARS II multiple launch rocket systems have been announced by the German government, but so far. not yet transferred.

Last week, Chancellor Scholz announced that Germany would also supply Kiev with one of its most modern weapons – the IRIS-T air defense system. However, the German Defense Ministry said it did not have this weapon in stock and that questions should be directed to the manufacturers.

According to media reports, Ukraine can only hope to obtain these systems by November, according to Der Spiegel, German intelligence officials judge that it seems to be too late as Russian forces will probably complete take full control of the Donbass region by August.

German Chancellor Scholz is also facing fierce criticism over his response to the conflict in Ukraine. Scholz has repeatedly told German media that he supports Ukraine but does not want to see Germany and NATO directly drawn into conflict with Russia.

In April, the German leader explained that Berlin could not send more weapons because the stockpile of the Bundeswehr (German military) was exhausted, but said Berlin would pay domestic arms companies to let them send refurbished equipment to Kiev.

According to France24.com (France), French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to conduct “direct negotiations with Ukrainian President Zelensky to find a “diplomatic solution for conflict” when the three leaders had a phone call on May 28. In an 80-minute phone call with Putin, the two EU leaders mentioned to Moscow “demanding a ceasefire and calling on President Putin to agree to speak directly with Mr. Zelensky as soon as possible”.