Mr. Scholz stated that Germany, which for many years left its army underequipped, couldn’t afford to offer Ukraine extra of its personal arms and nonetheless meet its nationwide and NATO protection obligations.
“We’ve to acknowledge the chances we’ve are reaching their limits,” he stated.
His stance on sending tanks and different heavy weapons to Ukraine, nonetheless, remained imprecise, and he wouldn’t make clear to journalists afterward whether or not Berlin would enable German protection contractors to promote such arms to Ukraine.
Pressed by a reporter whether or not he would reply to Ukraine’s calls for for Leopard tanks, Mr. Scholz replied: “Wanting on the world typically helps. On this case, it results in the conclusion that those that are in a comparable place to Germany are appearing in the identical method as we’re.”
It was an ill-timed retort, on condition that hours earlier the Netherlands had introduced it will be offering heavy weapons, together with armored automobiles, to Ukraine.
“Scholz doesn’t care about public perceptions,” Mr. Schmid stated. “He concentrates on motion. And he dislikes doing issues primarily based on public debate.”
In response to the controversy, Mr. Scholz has appeared taciturn, even sarcastic. His frustration was notably evident after a delegation of Bundestag members visited Ukraine final week — a transfer his chancellery reportedly discouraged.
The delegation included Ms. Strack-Zimmermann from the F.D.P., Mr. Hofreiter from the Greens, and Michael Roth from the S.P.D. All of them backed calls for for heavy weaponry, and known as on the chancellor to indicate stronger management.
Replying just a few days later, in a tv interview, he stated: “To the girls and boys, I’ve to say: The very fact I don’t simply do what you need, that exhibits that I’m main.”