Head of Bundestag defense committee criticized Scholz for refusing to provide tanks to Ukraine

Strack-Zimmermann said this in the interview with RND.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann noted that Germany could help Ukraine in its struggle, but the chancellor's office "lacked will for months."

"Chancellor's refusal to give Ukraine tanks in the fight for survival is not only incomprehensible but also alarmingly short-sighted. The situation, especially for the civilian Ukrainian population, is catastrophic. Sorry for the excuses why we cannot deliver tanks. Especially when I hear that the supply of tanks would be a particular provocation for Russia. We have successfully delivered self-propelled howitzers, anti-aircraft tanks, artillery systems and highly effective anti-aircraft systems to save thousands of lives. Delivery of tanks now would be an important addition to pushing back Russian positions," she said.

Strack-Zimmermann believes that refusal to provide tanks to Ukraine was provoked not so much by fear of escalation of conflict, but by the influence of the Russian narrative as if the West and NATO would provoke Russian Federation in this way.

"Obviously, the Russian narrative is working and preventing someone in the office from providing Ukraine with much-needed tanks. Anyone who fantasizes about crossing a red line with Russia is telling the story of the aggressor, not victims," ​​she said.

Head of the Bundestag defense committee suggested that Mr. Scholz's advisers were proposing to block the supply of tanks, but emphasized that the chancellor was responsible.

"I consider this refusal to be a very big mistake. It makes me angry when I look back over the last few months and see the absurd discussions we had. How long it took for us to be able to help. These consultants are always following the wave, not thinking strategically at all. Winter: now Ukrainian military is training on Marder and Leopard 2. Now we need to start training immediately to finally get ahead of the wave and deliver material that will have a big impact in just a few weeks," Strack-Zimmermann noted.

However, the chairman of the defense committee does not lose hope that Germany will supply battle tanks and armored personnel carriers to Ukraine next year.

"When I look back at how parts of the federal government opposed delivery of heavy weapons in March and April of this year, yes, I still have that hope. One way or another, my colleagues and I will not stop pushing until it is finally implemented," she said.