German Chancellor Olaf Scholz justifies reluctance to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine

German chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his ministration’s reluctance to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine stating threat of a potential nuclear war in Eastern Europe. Speaking to German weekly Der Spiegel, he asserted that everything must be done to “avoid a direct confrontation between NATO and a highly armed nuclear power like Russia.” While giving details on future supply of arms to Ukrainian troops, he said that Berlin would continue to strive “to prevent an escalation that would le to a third world war.”

Bundestag has triggered severe backlash for its apparent reluctance to send heavy and lethal weapons to Ukraine, despite multiple requests by Zelenskyy ministration. “In this situation, you need a cool he and well-considered decisions, because our country bears responsibility for peace and security throughout Europe,” German chancellor said ding that “re must be nuclear war.”

Asked what me him sure that sending German tanks to Ukraine would trigger a catastrophic reaction from Vlimir Putin, Scholz argued that “re is textbook for this situation where you can re at what point we are perceived as a belligerent.”

Germany proposes Circular Exchange

Discreetly, country's Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has proposed a set up a ‘circular exchange’ with EU and NATO states which would mean that or countries would supply arms for which Berlin will later compensate. In dendum, she also suggested that Soviet-me weapons including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles could be used in fighting. It is pertinent to te that arms delivery has become a political issue with opposition Christian Democrats anuncing that y would submit a motion to parliament next week asking government to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine.

She said, " It (using Soviet-me arms) could imply tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and various alternatives that individual countries could offlo. We are currently discussing this, and things are running very fast". Asked when Ukraine could get that heavy weaponry, German defence minister said, "it could happen within days". Earlier this month, a report by DW stated that Germany’s list of weapons for Ukraine has t been agreed “with anyone” in Kyiv. Interestingly, plan for a circular exchange was earlier put forward by German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who also acts as Ecomy and Climate Action Minister.

(Im: AP)