Germany’s Reluctance on Tanks Stems From Its History and Its Politics
A post-Nazi aversion to war and a commitment to promoting peace through engagement combines with an old fixation on Russia and a deep aversion to leading militarily.
Defense and Military Forces
Ukraine Holds Out Hope for Tanks Amid Growing Frustration With Germany
While Germany has not yet made a decision on whether to send Leopard 2s to Ukraine, a Kyiv official said his country’s soldiers would begin training on them.
The NATO Alliance Is Holding Strong on Ukraine. But Fractures Are Emerging.
The allies differ on strategy for the coming year and the more immediate question of what Ukraine needs ahead of a major offensive in the spring.
Allies Fail to Agree on Sending Tanks to Ukraine
Officials tried to play down the rift. But Germany is still insisting it will not be the country to take the first step alone, for fear of incurring Moscow’s wrath.
Ukraine’s Allies Pledge to Send Major Infusion of Military Aid
As representatives from dozens of countries prepared to attend a war-planning meeting in Germany, the talk was of missiles, air defense and — above all — tanks.
South Africa to Hold Naval Drill With Russia and China Amid Ukraine War
The 10-day naval exercises are a show of diplomatic independence for South Africa, which is part of an alliance with Brazil, Russia, India and China — known as BRICS.
At Wartime Davos Forum, Calls for European Unity Are Eased by Relief
“Our energy supply for this winter is secure,” Germany’s chancellor declared as government and business leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum.
U.S. Warms to Helping Ukraine Target Crimea
The Biden administration is considering the argument that Kyiv needs the power to strike at the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Ukraine Minister Killed in Helicopter Crash Oversaw Some Security Forces
Denys Monastyrsky was the highest-ranking Ukrainian government official to die since Russia’s invasion began in February last year.
Untested German Defense Minister Has Allies Watching Closely
Boris Pistorius, the new defense minister, is seen as a skilled politician but, entering a world stage on which Ukraine is at war, he may pose a risk for Chancellor Olaf Scholz.