Olaf Scholz has never liked to be pushed into anything, he didn't have to become Chancellor first.
In this state office, however, like all his predecessors, he certainly does not want to come across as being driven because that would raise doubts about his sovereignty.
But their reputation can also be damaged if the immobility is interpreted as procrastination.
Scholz has been struggling with this suspicion since the beginning of arms aid for Ukraine.
He doesn't want to be "drifted" into anything, not even supplying Leopard tanks or at least giving other countries the necessary export permits.
He still owes a detailed justification for this.
In the background, however, there is probably the concern that the Ukrainians could use this weapon on the Russian invaders so much that Putin would do something "crazy".
Putin would cheer
However, as more allies joined the Polish push, the chancellor would find it harder to maintain his restraint.
Even a veto would be a solo effort, which Berlin has never dared to risk.
Putin would rejoice at the division of his opponents.
Warsaw obviously wants to get Berlin to quickly follow the marten with the leopard now that the “no western tanks” taboo has fallen.
But Poles in particular should understand that it can be counterproductive to publicly put pressure on the government of another country.