German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock.
Photo: REUTERS
The story of the West’s “unconditional support” for the Zelensky regime has taken on several new nuances in recent days. Ritual promises to help Kyiv “as much as necessary” were supplemented by skirmishes more similar to bazaar negotiations: “And how much and what will you give?” The upcoming meeting of the “friends of Ukraine” at the US military base in Ramstein, Germany, proved this well. On the one hand, all the participants resolutely say that the Armed Forces of Ukraine need offensive weapons, first of all tanks, for an early victory. On the other hand, there are vague formulations such as “everything must be weighed and discussed collectively” and there are no specific decisions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
Photo: REUTERS
Everyone was waiting for what Germany would say, because many European countries are armed with German Leopard tanks. The Germans themselves are in no hurry to supply them, and in order for others to do so, permission from Berlin is necessary. And until recently, it didn’t exist either. Things got to the point that Kyiv’s most “reckless” ally, Poland’s Prime Minister Maetusz Morawiecki, resorted to previously unthinkable diplomatic rudeness towards the leading EU country, saying: “Ukraine and Europe will win this war, with or without Germany”.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
Photo: REUTERS
A lot can be read in these wonderful words of a Pole. For example, a clearly expressed doubt that Russia cannot be defeated with the Germans, as history teaches. The second meaning, and also clearer than clear: the war with Russia is waged mainly by Europe, and in this war everything is at stake for it. Poles, who are said to hate Russia more than they love Poland, are not shocked by such radicalism. But here other Europeans, except for the Balts, of course, looked more rational. That is why it was dark – we will give tanks or not, we will decide later until we all discuss together what this is fraught with for us …
The situation is very reminiscent of the one when “like-minded people” in the fight against a serious enemy are trying to push someone from their ranks forward: to see what will happen to him, will he succeed or not? If he gets it, then we have nothing to do with it, we don’t get involved, we deal with it…
This is how the answer of the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Burbock, to the question of the French television channel LCI, is perceived, what happens if Poland sends its Leopard 2 tanks without German approval? But nothing, replied the minister, “at the moment they have not asked us about it, but if they do ask, we are not going to interfere.”
The Leopard tank provided by Germany to Slovakia after the Slovaks sent their T-72M tanks to Ukraine.
Photo: REUTERS
Here are those times! Morawiecki was simply outraged that the cowardly Germans raised the question of permission to transfer the tanks they produced to Ukraine, and even promised to win without Germany. But it turns out that it was he who “drove the empty man” – in Berlin they did not receive any requests for this. You ask and we will leave you…
The famous Soviet comedian Raikin had a miniature “Launch the Fool”, remember? Burbock’s statement is very reminiscent of this situation. tanks? Oh yeah, we heard something. we do not allow What are you talking about! This is some kind of misunderstanding! Submit a new application and we will consider it.
From all this diplomatic “fool” that has come out, the conclusion is obvious. Although the West is at war with Russia, pushing Ukraine against it, it understands that a turning point in the conflict is coming. And one of Kyiv’s allies will have to go straight up to hell. Because he can get an “answer” for the supply of heavy weapons. Here in Berlin they decided: let it be the Poles or, in the worst case, the Balts. They don’t feel it as much as they themselves.
