German government responds to Putin's claims about Russia being "threatened by German tanks"

Steffen Hebestreit, spokesman for the federal government, has clearly rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that his country is once again facing a German threat, tagesschau reports.

He noted that Putin's statements lined up "in a whole series of abstruse historical comparisons that have been repeatedly used to justify Russia's attack on Ukraine."

Hebestreit emphasized that Germany and its allies are helping Ukraine, but this is not  "participation in the war."

• Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens to retaliate against the supply of foreign tanks to Ukraine, and assures that the Russian army will not limit itself to using only armored vehicles.

• On January 25, Germany approved the supply of 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and also allowed re-export by other countries.