Germany again refuses to send tanks to Ukraine

Germany’s Federal Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht has said that Germany eyes to strengthen the Bundeswehr (Germany’s Armed Forces).

However, the German government again refused to provide Ukraine with tanks, Spiegel quotes Lambrecht as saying on September 12.

“The war in Ukraine showed everyone, including us, Germans, who are accustomed to the world, that the countries need armed forces as a last resort, namely when the enemy intends to use its own means to invade,” the minister said.

She said that Germany is accustomed to using the armed forces in emergency situations, operations abroad or during flood relief.

Lambrecht emphasised that the army must be ready to carry out its duties.

“We ourselves need strong, combat-ready armed forces so that, if necessary, we would be able to protect ourselves and our union,” she noted.

The minister urged the government to increase funding for the army and reminded about a special Bundeswehr fund worth 100 billion euros ($101.2 billion).

She noted that Germany would not provide Ukraine with tanks.

“No country has delivered Western-style armoured personnel carriers or main battle tanks yet,” Lambrecht said.