I admit I changed my mind. For a long time I was able to fully understand the question of the German Chancellor. Olaf Scholz on the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine And I can still understand the concern Germany or all NATO You will be drawn into a war over the supply of certain weapons.

After all, Russian politicians have threatened to do just that, and the Russian president Vladimir Putin, They are even considering nuclear options. Undoubtedly, there are many reasons why we should be cautious in our relationships. Russia .

The problem is that Putin knows it. Moreover, he takes that fear into account from the beginning. While Ukrainians are desperately fighting for their lives and freedom, Russian forces are systematically destroying civilian homes and facilities. Here, so to speak, war crimes are being committed before our eyes.

A war of attrition is coming

Compared to Russia’s overwhelming numerical superiority and the brutality of its wars, the Ukrainian army is fighting surprisingly well, recapturing vast areas. The decisive reason for this is Western military aid.

However, the Ukrainian counterattack had apparently reached its limit and trench warfare began. In it, Russia has more encouragement. Even without large-scale fighting, every day is a day of pain for civilians and a day when the world cannot focus on other pressing issues, such as overcoming global hunger as a result of the war in Ukraine. There is also. .

now is not the time to negotiate

Given the current military stalemate, energy shortages and inflation, many sympathetic countries are again calling for diplomacy. One thing is clear: if Ukraine negotiates now, it will result in a peace led by Russia.

As NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with DW in October, “If Putin’s Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will exist as an independent state.” It will not.” So diplomacy and military aid are not mutually exclusive, but complementary. Ukraine will have to negotiate from a strong position. But he still doesn’t have it.

Putin decides what war means

As all military experts say, Western combat vehicles will make a decisive difference. With them, besides defending the fort, Ukraine was able to advance further into Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory.

According to Putin’s reading, these territories now belong to Russia. What if Russia sees the advance of Ukraine by Western combat vehicles as entry into the war by the countries that supplied the tanks? Here is the answer: You can interpret it that way anyway if you want. Other things, such as entering the war, can be interpreted however you like. But the West should not rely on it. International law is on the side of Ukraine and her military partners. Because this country is only defending itself from invaders.

nothing is without risk

Yes, this path is not without risks. But the other path of containment and passivity is even more dangerous. It will show Putin and all his imitators around the world that he can escape aggression.

Restrictions on combat vehicles, if any, are therefore no longer relevant. No other Western power wanted to supply tanks, but Olaf Scholz could say he didn’t want Germany alone to do it. And it was reasonable. Now the UK wants to hand over the Challenger main battle tanks.

Other states such as Poland and Finland will soon send German-made Leopard tanks if Germany allows them, as Berlin has reserved the rights. Allowing it is the bare minimum the German government should do. But he keeps refusing. Reasons for Germany’s own defensive capabilities may oppose extradition of the leopards from Germany itself, but in any case not for diplomatic, strategic, or moral reasons.

The tank handover is a military necessity, protected by international law, and a decisive signal that Putin and his allies are united for freedom. The German government cannot wait any longer without losing credibility.