German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday 13 September called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to order the “complete withdrawal” out of Ukraine of Russian forces, reports the Financial Times.
A German government account of this 90-minute telephone interview indicates that given “the gravity of the military situation and the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the Chancellor urged the Russian President to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, based on a ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and respect territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”.
“The Chancellor underlined that any new Russian annexation maneuvers will not go unanswered and will in no way be recognized”according to this report.
Frustration de Kiev
This call with Vladimir Putin comes as the German leader “continues to be criticized for its reluctance to increase military support for kyiv”remark Politico.
The “frustration de Kiev” in the face of Germany’s restraint came out publicly on Tuesday, the media noted. “Disappointing signals from Germany when Ukraine needs [chars] leopard and [véhicules de combat d’infanterie] Marder now – to liberate people and save them from genocide”Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter, denouncing “abstract fears and excuses”.
Since the outbreak of the Russian offensive on February 24, Berlin has supplied Ukraine with military equipment, ammunition and anti-aircraft tanks, traces the German wave. But certain “say that Germany’s support came late, because it was initially reluctant” to send weapons into a conflict zone. As Ukraine pursues a counter-offensive that has seen Russia withdraw from key areas in the east of the country in recent days, Berlin is “again under pressure”, notes the German radio-television.
Pressures
Germany is the fifth largest arms exporter in the world, recalls Politico. It notably produces the famous Leopard battle tank, and its defense industry also has large stocks of decommissioned Marder infantry fighting vehicles. However, Olaf Scholz repeatedly asserted that he would not deliver tanks until other allies also sent similar Western tanks, stressing that Berlin would not make any “solo race”.
On Tuesday, the US Embassy in Germany “seemed to counter that argument in a rare, blunt tweet suggesting that Berlin didn’t have to wait for its allies on arms deliveries to Ukraine and could decide on its own,” observe Politico. “We call on all allies and partners to support Ukraine in its struggle for its democratic sovereignty as much as possible…The decision on the type of aid [militaire] ultimately belongs to each country”reads the Embassy’s tweet.
An internal, “Mr. Scholz is expected to face further pressure from the FDP and the Greens, the third coalition member, at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday”continues Politico. “While it currently seems unlikely that the Chancellor will agree to send tanks to Ukraine, some of his coalition partners believe that he should at least send armored vehicles for the safe transport of soldiers, such as the “Dingo” or German “Fox”.