Political tensions peaked in Germany over the possibility of Spain sending Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine. The main problem is that it is Berlin who must approve or reject the shipment (subject to a clause that requires this before it is sold or donated to a third party). Spain, if allowed first country to send western-built main battle tanks onto the battlefieldand Germany would consent. One thing that the sources consulted by this paper considered could mean a significant change in international strategy so far: The weapons delivered are currently defense systems (for example, S-300 anti-aircraft guns already on the ground), artillery (for example, the high-grade weapons approved for shipment by the United States). technology HIMARS rockets), missiles (like the American Javelin or the Spanish C-90), or tanks, but of Russian manufacture.
For example, neither the Americans sent their Abrams tanks, the French their Leclercs, nor the British their Challengers. Poland shipped at least 200 Soviet-made T-72 tanks.
“The Spanish government has assured us that no decision has been made, and we know that no official request has been made. When the request comes in, we will examine it accordingly,” he said in Madrid on Wednesday. Graf LambsdorffBundestag deputy for the liberal party of the ruling coalition FDP, answered the questions of EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA, the newspaper Prensa Ibérica, which belongs to the same group.
Questioning whether Spain will finally send some of the 40 now obsolete Leopard battle tanks, Defense Minister Margarita Robles reminded this Wednesday that they have not been used for many years, although the possibility of donating them to Ukraine is on the horizon. table if necessary work can be done to adapt them and always in coordination with other countries. Ukraine openly requested Leopard tanks from Madrid last Friday.
Artillery and missiles yes: tanks no
What’s the difference between destroying a Russian tank with an American Javelin missile or a Spanish C-90 rocket versus doing it with a German tank sent by Spain? Battle tanks, more than guns complex weapon systems: they have optical technologies, radars, firing systems, remote-guided tactical projectiles, smoke systems… The Kremlin can interpret the presence of these war vehicles in Ukraine as an escalation of the war and direct intervention of NATO.
Something similar happened when Poland offered it to the United States. 27 MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ fighters So they can later be transferred from the German base in Ramstein to the Ukrainian air force. Washington vetoed the shipment.
Another disadvantage is that Ukrainian soldiers must be trained in the preparation and transport of these tanks, as well as in the use of these tanks.
Germany agreed to send Howitzer 2000 self-propelled artillery. It has a 155 millimeter caliber gun, similar to that of the Leopard (120 mm). But still, it is artillery deployed behind the line even if it serves to destroy enemy positions. German suspicion lies in seeing an open conflict between German (or American or Swedish) tanks and Russian tanks.
Criticism from Ukraine to Spain
Last Friday, June 3, the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid disfigured Spain with a small number of arms shipments. 200 tons shipped on Ysabel Army cargo ship on 28 April only two hours of fighting, according to the military, which advised the Ukrainian president. Ambassador Serhii Pohoreltsev said that what has been sent so far by Spain represents only 0.03% of Spain’s war potential. “That’s not enough,” he said before making an explicit demand: “We don’t want what Spain can’t provide. […] but spain Leopard can send main battle tanks that you keep and do not use”.
Two days later, the newspaper El País reported that Spain was “ready to deliver anti-aircraft missiles and Leopard tanks to Ukraine.”
The process of obtaining German approval is complex. The Minister of Economy must first consent, and then the Federal Security Council or the Bundessicherheitsrat must do the same. Reports from Berlin Andreu Jerez. This is a committee of ministers, chaired by Chancellor Sholz, who will have a lot to say on behalf of the Social Democrats in the final decision. Conservatives and Greens are much more determined to ask the Government to allow it. If the request finally arrives, yes, they can process it as slowly as they want.
Germany He was criticized by Kyiv for his attitude during this war.. First, because of the reluctance to cancel the multi-million dollar gas pipeline project to Russia, known as Nord Stream 2 (there is another Stream 1 that continues to pump 55,000 million cubic meters of Russian gas every day). Later on these gas pipelines or for the role of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in the Russian oil company Rosneft. Then, due to Berlin’s reluctance to send heavy weapons, or the delay of previously promised ones, such as the Gepard anti-aircraft armor.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz even canceled a trip due to the Government of Volodímir Zelenski’s refusal to receive German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Steinmeier planned to travel to Kiev, but Ukrainian officials refused as a gesture of dissatisfaction with his post. Alleged collusion with Russian politics for years, also during his tenure as foreign minister. Scholz has not yet gone to see Zelensky in Kiev, as did the leaders of the Baltic states, the United Kingdom or Spain, among others. French Emmanuel Macron also did not attend. Scholz and Macron maintain an open channel of communication with Vladimir Putin.