Austin has tense conversation with Scholz's adviser on tanks for Ukraine - media

Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that Washington is particularly outraged by the fact that the German government publicly set conditions for the supply of Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

“Germany's NATO allies reacted with open incomprehension or barely concealed anger to Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision not to give a promise to provide Ukraine with Leopard tanks. The tone in the US government was especially sharp,” the report says.

The publication reports that Austin had a disagreement with Scholz's closest confidant, and the meeting between the officials was said to be “tense.”

• On January 20, the 8th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group took place in Germany, at the Ramstein American air base. The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, said that "this is a decisive moment for Ukraine and the whole world." However, during it, the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine was not agreed upon.