Germany is doing what is “necessary” to support Ukraine by authorizing the delivery of Leopard tanks, but wants to avoid an “escalation” in the conflict that would lead to war between Russia and NATO, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.
“We are doing what is necessary and possible to support Ukraine, but at the same time we are avoiding an escalation of the war, towards a war between Russia and NATO,” the head of the German government told the Bundestag.
The Chancellor’s very cautious tone
The Chancellor’s tone, speaking just after announcing that Berlin had agreed to supply Ukraine with German-made heavy tanks, was particularly guarded. Olaf Scholz has repeatedly recalled the need for restraint and reflection in the gradation of military support given to Kyiv.
“It is right and intentional that we have been advancing little by little and we will continue to follow this principle in the future,” he insisted. “This is the only principle that guarantees the safety of Europe and Germany in such a dangerous matter,” he continued.
In recent days, pressure had increased on Olaf Scholz to give the green light to handing over the Leopards, both in Germany, both from the Greens and the Liberals, partners in the government coalition, and from the conservative opposition, which at international, of the Western Union of Ukraine. allies
It’s not about intervening
Before the lower house of parliament, the chancellor made it clear that, in order to avoid an escalation with Russia, there was no question of intervening by air and by land in Ukraine, a position shared by the United States.
“When it came to no-fly zones over Ukraine, I heard the American president say we wouldn’t do it, that position hadn’t changed and wouldn’t change, and we wouldn’t send ground troops under any circumstances,” he said. Olaf Schölz.
Source: BFM TV
