German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday urged citizens to trust his government’s decision to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks and promised to always remember Germany’s “security”.
Scholz acknowledged that many citizens are “very concerned” because they want war in Ukraine “not to come” and that the German government is “not losing courage,” he said in a scheduled video broadcast on the day of his departure for a tour of Latin America.
“Trust the government, trust me too! We make decisions that are always considered and agreed upon internationally,” he said, referring to the decision announced this week.
Scholz stressed that from the very beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, his government has always been guided by three principles: do “whatever is necessary” to support Ukraine, avoid escalation, since “there can be no war between Russia and NATO.” – and, finally, to act in coordination with Germany’s allies, in particular with the United States.
The supply of main battle tanks, which follows previous decisions to supply howitzers, air defense systems and light tanks, is also in line with these three principles.
“Our goal is clear: Russia cannot avoid changing its borders by force,” the foreign minister said.
“I promise you that we will always consider the security of Germany,” he added.
According to a poll broadcast on Friday by public broadcaster ZDF, 54% of German citizens think the decision to send main battle tanks to Ukraine is the right decision, compared to 38% who oppose a similar poll released last week. .
While support for sending weapons to Ukraine is particularly high among Green voters, it is largely dismissed by supporters of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the left-wing Die Linke.
About half of the population fears that the supply of battle tanks to Kyiv will increase the risk of a direct military confrontation between Russia and the West, and this fear is especially pronounced in the areas corresponding to the former East Germany.