Capitulation of Germany, defeat of Scholz. "USA leads Europe today"

The transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine does not end the problems of the German government. The avalanche caused by this brawl may sweep not only Olaf Scholz's office, but also Germany itself. Geopolitical procrastination and constant maneuvering between Moscow and Kiev have seriously undermined our neighbors' international standing. Berlin must now salvage its influence in the European Union and NATO, and regain its credibility as a reliable ally on the international stage.

NATO countries, but most of all Ukraine, have been waiting for these words for many days. “At today's government meeting, the chancellor announced further support for Ukraine by sending Leopard 2 tanks,” the spokesman for Chancellor Scholz's office, Steffen Hebestreit, announced via Twitter. As he added, Berlin's allies who have Leopard tanks and want to transfer them to Ukraine have received permission for such a step. “We are coordinating this closely with international partners,” assured Hebestreit.

Germany is to send Ukraine fourteen Leopard 2 A6 tanks from the resources of the Bundeswehr. This is the second most modern model in the German army. However, this is a drop in the ocean of what Germany could pass on to the Ukrainians attacked by Russia. The manufacturer of the Leopards, Rheinmetall, announced that Germany could provide as many as 139 Leopards from the resources of the Bundeswehr, although not immediately and not in the latest version. By April, 29 modern machines could be delivered to Ukraine, and another 22 by the end of the year. In addition, Berlin would be able to hand over an additional 88 older-generation tanks.

On the positive side, however, the fact that the German government has agreed for its NATO partners to transfer the machines at their disposal. According to information from the American television ABC News, twelve countries have agreed to give Ukraine a total of about 100 machines. This is a significant number, which, according to military analysts, may be of significant importance for repelling the Russian offensive planned for the spring and maintaining Ukrainian successes in liberating the territories occupied by the invader.

America at the forefront of… Europe

Although it seems that the decision of the German government closes the subject and ends the crisis that has hit Scholz's cabinet hard, this impression is wrong. It is an open secret that the Germans did not intend to make such a decision regarding the Leopards, and certainly not so soon. Scholz did not want to step out of line and expose himself to accusations from the Kremlin that Berlin was escalating the conflict. The German chancellor hoped that the Americans, and perhaps other countries, would also hand over their machines (the modern M1 Abrams tanks), thanks to which the responsibility would be dispersed.
Washington, however, had other plans. After almost a year of war, he finally wanted to force the Germans to make an independent, courageous decision that clearly supported the Ukrainians. That is why he delayed the announcement of the transfer of the Abramses to Kyiv until the last moment. Ultimately, however, American tanks will go to the front.

We are witnessing the end of the dominance of the French-German tandem in Europe. Europe has become polycentric, and the last year deprived Germany of its special role on the continent. (...) This change is related to the "easternization" of the EU. This is the effect of shifting the EU perspective more towards its eastern members, who understand what is currently happening on the continent better than the "old EU".

This is good news for all EU countries. Many of them will now be able to enter the game and have a greater influence on decision making. It will now be possible to put much more pressure on Germany, but only certain countries will be able to do so. Those who not only unwaveringly supported and support Ukraine, but also who cared and care for the unity of the EU – our interlocutor emphasizes.