The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said Wednesday that the gas leaks in the Baltic Sea were caused by deliberate damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which are majority and fully-owned by Russian state-owned company Gazprom PJSC respectively. Russian actions could always change those calculations. Scholz reiterated that stance in an interview with the New York Times published Sunday, saying it was “a very dangerous war” when asked why his country wouldn’t send battle tanks to Ukraine.
Scholz has repeatedly spoken of his concern about the risk that Russia’s war in Ukraine broadens, especially with Putin moving to mobilize reservist troops and threatening the use of nuclear weapons to defend what he deems to be Moscow’s territory. A government spokesperson declined to comment and instead pointed to Scholz’s earlier remarks on the topic. and other NATO allies, another person said. Still, Chancellor Olaf Scholz is unlikely to push ahead unilaterally and give the green light to give Leopards to Ukraine without similar moves by the U.S. Ukraine’s requests are focused on older variants of the modern tanks, which would lessen any risk of inadvertent technology transfers to Russia if they were captured and would have fewer requirements for training and repair.
German officials raise similar concerns about training and maintenance with regard to their Leopard tanks, although these are less severe and could at some point be resolved, one person said.
The international effort to supply Ukraine is focused on sending weapons the country can use quickly and effectively, the official added.Ī White House official has previously pushed back against the Ukrainian viewpoint that the US is reluctant to send American-made tanks out of concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin might escalate the conflict.įrom the European side, allies have a limited number of modern tanks and are loath to leave the North Atlantic Treaty Organization unarmed in light of the tensions with Russia. Providing Kyiv with modern battle tanks would necessitate long-term training, maintenance and support, a US State Department spokesperson said.
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