After lengthy discussions, the German government is supplying Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Now the chancellor has to answer questions from MPs.
The federal government has decided to deliver Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine. Corresponding plans were announced on Tuesday, and this Wednesday Chancellor Scholz (SPD) will answer questions from MPs in the Bundestag.
The decision was preceded by a week-long discussion. Olaf Scholz was accused of acting too cautiously both nationally and internationally, and representatives of his own party defended Scholz’s approach as “prudent”.
Follow the Chancellor’s questioning in the video above or read the most important statements in our live ticker.
1:44 p.m.: What comes next, after the battle tanks, asks a member of parliament. Fighter jets and ground troops would never be sent to Ukraine, says Chancellor Scholz. Like US President Biden, he made that clear months ago. It stays that way, according to the SPD politician.
1:40 p.m.: A member of the SPD asks how the relationship between Germany and the USA is. US President Joe Biden is “a really good partner,” says Scholz. Media reports suggesting unfriendly talks between the partners cannot be compared with reality, says the Chancellor.
1:27 p.m.: An AfD MP asked when the end of further deliveries would come. Scholz replies: The arms deliveries are about Ukraine being able to defend its integrity. “We don’t believe that one country is another’s backyard,” says Scholz. That is Putin’s imperial idea that drove him to the war. Germany resolutely rejects this, which is the reason for the support.
1:15 p.m.: The questioning by the deputies begins. A member of parliament sees Scholz’s hesitation as a “considerable crop damage”, also internationally. It is correct that the decision was only made in consultation with the international partners, says Scholz.
1:12 p.m.: This also applies to the recent decision to make Leopard tanks available to Ukraine. “I want to say explicitly: It was and is right that we didn’t let ourselves drift, but instead relied on such close cooperation,” says Scholz. The goal is to quickly make two tank battalions available, together with the allies. The training on the systems should take place in Germany. “It is correct that we never provide these weapon systems alone, but always in coordination,” says Scholz.
1:10 p.m.: “It’s really war in Europe, not far from Berlin,” says Scholz. Therefore, what is necessary must be done to support Ukraine. At the same time, the government is making sure that there is no escalation and no confrontation between Russia and NATO.
1:07 p.m.: It is right that Germany, together with its partners, is supporting Ukraine. “When it comes to supporting Ukraine, we are the country that does it with great energy and on a large scale,” says Scholz. The measures taken so far are helping Ukraine to defend itself, says the Chancellor. The fact that these were all made in coordination with the partners is the reason that this aid works – it is the mode and the principle of this government.
1:06 p.m.: First, the Chancellor talks about the economic situation. Scholz sees the danger of an energy policy crisis winter in the conflict with Russia practically averted. Warnings that a lack of oil and gas could lead to a furious winter and cold apartments were wrong, said Scholz. “The truth is, that didn’t happen,” said Scholz.
He described the reactions to the crisis as a completely new “Germany pace”. “The federal government has whistled off the economic crisis,” said Scholz. And: “We also showed what we’re made of.” These were Scholz’s first statements after the decision to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine.
