
Germany, U.S. Pledge Tank Support
Chancellor Scholz’ hesitation might have served a purpose. Not wanting to be left holding the bag should things turn sour, Scholz got the U.S. on board first.
Chancellor Scholz’ hesitation might have served a purpose. Not wanting to be left holding the bag should things turn sour, Scholz got the U.S. on board first.
Chancellor Scholz may have received guarantees from the U.S. that it would send its M1 Abrams tanks, which persuaded Berlin to follow suit with its Leopards.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto pointed out that every aid package depletes the military resources of the giving country.
The proposed deal to sell Turkey $20 billion worth of F-16 fighter jets is facing strong opposition from Greek politicians as U.S. lawmakers veto the sale.
The international pressure on Germany was so strong that the promise to deliver tanks was made before the exact terms of the delivery had been decided.
“It may sound like a paradox, but military support for Ukraine is the fastest way to peace,” the NATO chief told Deutsche Press-Agentur (DPA).
Incoming House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that an audit would be aimed at establishing to what extent “the U.S. aid is ending up in the wrong hands.”