{"id":1821546,"date":"2023-01-24T08:50:11","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T13:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1821546"},"modified":"2023-01-24T08:52:55","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T13:52:55","slug":"why-wont-germany-send-leopard-2-tanks-to-ukraine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-wont-germany-send-leopard-2-tanks-to-ukraine\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Won\u2019t Germany Send Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhy-wont-germany-send-leopard-2-tanks-to-ukraine%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1821546&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47-->\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Leopard-2A4.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\"   style=\"display:none\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Why so much drama surrounding Leopard 2?<\/strong> Recently, the West has made one of its most significant pledges to Ukraine regarding heavy weaponry. Washington expressed support for Kyiv&#8217;s efforts to take back the country. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/putins-war-in-ukraine-is-brutal-it-looks-like-the-crimean-war\/\">Crimea<\/a>. Eastern European nations aim to send tanks to the country for mechanized offensives akin to Ukraine\u2019s campaigns in Kharkiv and Kherson.\n<\/p>\n[embedded content]\n<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe to our YouTube Channel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@19fortyfive\/\">Here<\/a>. <em>19FortyFive<\/em> publishes original videos every day.)\n<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine\u2019s battlefield success in late 2022 has not deterred <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/tag\/russia\/\">Russia<\/a> Its imperial ambitions.\n<\/p>\n<p>This is why a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2023\/01\/21\/allies-offer-more-weapons-to-ukraine-but-no-decisions-have-been-made-on-tanks.html\"> coalition<\/a> One in 50 countries has recognized that Ukraine requires weapons not only to repel Russian invasion, but also to win wars and convince Moscow to be fair. One of Kyiv\u2019s biggest requests to that effect is the German-produced Leopard 2 tanks.\n<\/p>\n<p>Germany, however, is reluctant to send weapons and the Leopard 2 tank. Berlin uses the argument to distract attention from their problem with Russian influence. Moscow reaps the benefits of the conflict.<\/p>\n<h2>Leopard 2: Why is it So Important<\/h2>\n<p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/how-germany-leopard-2-tanks-compare-us-m1-abrams-ukraine-ramstein-1775318\"> Leopard 2<\/a> One of the most efficient tanks ever made. Numerous European countries have these systems and the logistics chains to repair or replenish them. Despite having the systems, the German government is reluctant to send them. This despite a promise by several NATO states to send multiple systems together. Scholz\u2019s government has insisted that it won\u2019t give the green light on Leopards<a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/news\/world\/german-tanks-for-ukraine-are-stuck-as-the-us-resists-sending-its-own\/ar-AA16yulE\"> unless<\/a> Abrams tanks are sent simultaneously by the Biden administration.\n<\/p>\n<p>The biggest problem with sending<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/how-germany-leopard-2-tanks-compare-us-m1-abrams-ukraine-ramstein-1775318\"> Abrams<\/a> They are that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/will-joe-biden-send-m1-abrams-tanks-to-ukraine\/\">require jet fuel<\/a>It is also prohibitively costly. Abrams are nearly exclusive to American forces. Therefore, training Ukrainians to use Abrams would take more time. However, the Leopards are more adaptable and have a stronger logistical system, especially in Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n<h2>Beyond the Leopard 2: German American Disputes<\/h2>\n<p>The tank dispute is only Berlin and Washington\u2019s latest disagreement. Then-President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/donald-trump-is-already-losing-the-2024-election\/\">Donald Trump<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/trump-criticizes-nato-allies-germany-at-summit\/\"> criticized<\/a> then-Chancellor Angela Merkel over Europe\u2019s dependence on American aid and military bases in Europe. In 2018, he was<a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/german-delegation-laughed-trump-warned-russia-not-single-one-laughing-now\/\"> mocked<\/a> by German diplomats at the United Nations for pointing out Berlin\u2019s energy dependence on Russia, even as many predicted Moscow would use energy as a weapon against Europe in the future.\n<\/p>\n<p>Since Russia\u2019s invasion, the U.S has been Kyiv\u2019s major backer, with the provision of javelins and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/himars-the-rocket-weapon-putin-fears-in-ukraine\/\">HIMARS<\/a> Systems<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-62512681\"> helping Ukraine turn<\/a> It won the war.\n<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine recently asked for weapons that would enable it to launch a full-scale offensive. Operation combined arms will be necessary to liberate Zaporizhzhia&#8217;s flat lands as well as the Donbas and Crimea areas that are well-defended. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, has asked specifically for Leopards.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-xl\/news\/other\/poland-wants-multi-nation-coalition-to-discuss-leopards-for-ukraine\/ar-AA167Kfu\"> coalition<\/a> of countries recently pledged to send these tanks once they have the green light from Germany \u2014 but the ruling SPD party is holding back that permission.<\/p>\n<p>Business Insider<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.de\/politik\/deutschland\/lambrecht-verbot-bestandsaufnahme-von-leopard-1-und-2-a\/\"> reported<\/a> Christine Lambrecht, former German Defense Minister, stopped the German military making an inventory on the Leopards. Berlin has also spoken out.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/news\/world\/1723691\/germany-WW3-fears-tanks-Ukraine-Russia-war\"> fears<\/a> Their tanks will be used against Russian territory, despite Ukrainian claims that they only want to liberate their country.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Germany: Nostalgia for Russia<\/h2>\n<p>Perhaps a major problem is Germany\u2019s close recent relations with Russia \u2013 a relationship largely expressed through partnership with<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/outrage-germany-ex-chancellor-schroder-gazprom-board-nomination\/\"> Gazprom<\/a> \u2013 as well as historical<a href=\"https:\/\/www.csis.org\/analysis\/russian-influence-operations-germany-and-their-effect\"> ties<\/a> Going back to the Cold War<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/whats-behind-eastern-germans-empathy-for-russia\/a-61954976\"> East German residents<\/a> indoctrinated by the Soviet system assumed leadership positions in Germany after the country\u2019s reunification and continued pursuing strong relations with Moscow, even when the Kremlin continued its imperial push. The AfD is the extreme right and Die Linke is the far-left are the largest.<a href=\"https:\/\/newsingermany.com\/afd-and-die-linke-position-towards-russia-divides-the-parties\/\"> pro-Russian parties<\/a> Europe The AfD<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/germanys-far-right-afd-lawmakers-visit-moscow\/a-56829773\"> visits<\/a> Participates in Russian events and the Kremlin. Die Linke retains its links to Russia because of Soviet nostalgia. The AfD is one the major far-right European parties that Putin has endorsed.<a href=\"https:\/\/newlinesmag.com\/reportage\/exclusive-russia-backs-europes-far-right\/\"> supports<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<p>The German chancellors have been subject to harsh scrutiny over their ties with Moscow. Gerhard Schroder, former Chancellor, was closely associated with the Kremlin. He worked in Russian state-owned enterprises after his chancellorship. Also, he played a crucial role in the establishment of German-Russian relations in energy after the Cold War. Olaf Scholz, the current Chancellor, has been there.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/olaf-scholz-dismisses-eu-parliament-demand-to-sanction-gerhard-schroder-over-russia-ties\/\"> dismissed<\/a> Because of his close ties to Moscow Schroder is being called upon to apply sanctions.\n<\/p>\n<p>Angela Merkel\u2019s past and her policies with regards to Russia have proven to be a big problem. At first, she was sympathetic to the Soviet Union.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-germany-merkel-past-idUSBRE94C0LZ20130513\"> member<\/a> Merkel, the Marxist-Leninist group of the Free German Youth (German Youth), never wavered from her policies in regard to the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2020\/sep\/03\/merkel-pressured-to-end-nord-stream-2-support-after-navalny-poisoning\"> Nord Stream<\/a> pipeline and Putin\u2019s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/europe\/merkel-condemns-russian-invasion-legacy-comes-under-scrutiny-2022-02-25\/\"> aggression<\/a>. This set of policies includes a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/live-news\/20220404-merkel-defends-2008-decision-to-block-ukraine-from-nato\"> veto<\/a> of Ukraine\u2019s NATO membership bid in 2008 \u2013- a costly decision, considering Russia historically has never invaded a country under the NATO umbrella.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Failure to Realize they\u2019re too Dependent on the U.S<\/h2>\n<p>The German government is too stubborn not to admit that they are so<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/german-minister-to-macron-eus-dependence-on-us-is-sobering-facts\/\"> dependent<\/a> on the U.S military for Germany\u2019s own security. Germany is a top-five world economy but has failed to meet the agreed spending requirements.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/majority-nato-nations-fail-spend-2-percent-gdp-guideline-defense-1694014\"> 2% of GDP<\/a> NATO members are required to contribute to defense. For example, Estonia and Greece have met the GDP requirements despite economic turmoil and inflation. 2018 saw a close examination of the GDP requirement, as only five NATO members had met it.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2018\/07\/11\/trumps-nato-criticism-is-valid-europe-isnt-spending-enough-on-def.html\"> allocation requirements<\/a>. When Russia invaded Ukraine, other members started to make strides toward fulfilling defense requirements and remilitarizing \u2014 but Berlin once again<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2022-12-05\/germany-to-miss-military-spending-target-next-year-study-says\"> failed<\/a> It will meet its obligations in 2023.\n<\/p>\n<p>The war in Ukraine is now a matter of public record <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2022\/05\/game-changer-the-army-wants-longer-range-artillery-due-to-ukraine-war\/\">duel of artillery<\/a>As such, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/what-leopard-2-tanks-could-bring-to-ukraines-army\/\">tanks<\/a> Infantry fighting vehicles are becoming more important. Russian propaganda used German indecisiveness as a psychological win, especially since their current<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/world\/russia-ukraine-war-wagner-yevgeny-prigozhin-putin-chef-soledar-rcna65471\"> assaults<\/a> Bakhmut and Soledar have been the most talked about.<\/p>\n<p>Germany has shown once more that it is not ready to manage its own security without the assistance of the American defense industry. With the U.S. preparing an operational focus on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.defense.gov\/Spotlights\/Focus-on-Indo-Pacific\/\"> reinforcing<\/a> European leaders need to organize themselves for the Asia Pacific. Washington can&#8217;t be there for them forever.\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>More:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/time-for-joe-biden-to-resign\/\"> Should Joe Biden Quit?\u00a0<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>More:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/how-to-save-joe-biden\/\"> How to Save Joe Biden?\u00a0<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>More:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.19fortyfive.com\/2023\/01\/donald-trump-would-crush-nikki-haley-in-2024\/\"> Nikki Haley for President? Nope.\u00a0<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p><em>Julian McBride\u00a0is a forensic anthropologist and independent journalist born in New York. He records and documents the suffering of people all over the world affected by conflict, rogue geopolitics and war. He also tells the stories and experiences of war victims whose voices have never been heard. Julian is the director of Reflections of War Initiative, an anthropological NGO that aims to share the stories of victims of war through art therapy. As a former Marine, he uses this technique not only to help heal PTSD but also to share people\u2019s stories through art, which conveys \u201cthe message of the brutality of war better than most news organizations.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why so much drama surrounding Leopard 2? Recently, the West has made one of its most significant pledges to Ukraine regarding heavy weaponry. Washington expressed support for Kyiv&#8217;s efforts to take back the country. Crimea. Eastern European nations aim to send tanks to the country for mechanized offensives akin to Ukraine\u2019s campaigns in Kharkiv and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1818088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[3946,13983,9591,12824,6991,4324],"class_list":["post-1821546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report","tag-germany","tag-leopard","tag-send","tag-tanks","tag-ukraine","tag-wont"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1821546","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1821546"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1821546\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1818088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1821546"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1821546"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1821546"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}