If you are sympathetic to the federal government, you could say that it has learned a lot on the subject of arms deliveries.

If you are critical of her, you would have to say that she has changed her position surprisingly often.

At first she didn't want to supply the Ukraine with any weapons, because they still wanted to negotiate with Moscow.

Then she supplied missiles that can shoot down tanks.

Then suddenly it was said that the Bundeswehr had nothing left.

Then you found something.

And now that it's about things that may be decisive for the war, such as tanks and armored vehicles, we can't do without them, and we certainly can't deliver them before others in NATO do.

Morten Freidel

Editor in the politics of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper

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How Germany decides is of considerable importance for the Ukrainians.

For them, German weapons are not just weapons with which they can defend themselves.

They send out a signal.

If the most powerful country in the European Union supplies them with tanks, many others could do the same.

If it hesitates, it could at least be more difficult for smaller countries.

Crucial weeks in this war are also ahead.

The Russians have withdrawn from the Kiev region and regrouped in the Donbass.

Their offensive has already begun, and experts assume that this time things will be different than in the first days of the war.

Not only did Russian soldiers look more like they were going on a scavenger hunt than in a battle.

They also had to drive through narrow streets and dense forests.

The Ukrainians were able to hide and attack them with bazookas.

So what Germany and others provided was exactly what they needed.

This time, Russian tanks could advance far because they drive through the steppes.

They are supplied with fuel because they are close to the border.

They may have helicopter and artillery support.

All of this makes it harder for Ukraine to defend itself.

For this she needs heavy weapons, artillery pieces, tanks.

So everything that Germany does not want to give up at the moment.

There can be no question of going it alone

But if Ukraine loses this battle, the consequences would be dramatic.

Parts of their army could be surrounded and crushed.

Large areas east of the Dnipro would be lost.

Therefore, the question arises as to how sound the arguments of the federal government are.

There are some that are easy to invalidate.

When Chancellor Scholz talked about arms deliveries this week, he made it a point to coordinate.

German "going it alone" with heavy weapons would be wrong, he said.

However, several countries had already announced that they would deliver them to Ukraine.

Holland, for example, wants to give up armored vehicles, as well as self-propelled howitzers 2000.

The Americans provide helicopters and artillery pieces.

The Czech Republic supplies Soviet main battle tanks.

So there can be no question of going it alone.

Scholz has also made it clear several times that Germany will not go to war.

Former Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel from the SPD defended this reluctance, especially with regard to tanks.

Anyone who supplies them risks Russia using tactical nuclear weapons.

If that happens, anything is possible, including a conflict with NATO.

No well-known military expert denies that the top priority of the federal government must be to keep Germany out of a war.

However, many point out that the matter is clear under international law.

Only those who send soldiers into a war become a party to the war.

Anyone who supplies weapons is only partial.