Why German tanks are going to war in Europe
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 31 January 2023
⏱️ 30 minutes
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Summary
Last week, Germany confirmed it would send tanks to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia. The announcement came after weeks of foot-dragging on the issue. So why was the decision apparently so difficult - and what made Germany change its mind?
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | For President Zelensky, the timing came as a bit of a surprise. |
| 0:13.3 | Sat on a plush leather sofa with Ukrainian flags hanging behind him dressed in his trademark |
| 0:20.5 | hoodie, the new combat uniform for Presidents at War, he was in middle of a TV interview |
| 0:26.5 | with Sky News, thanking Britain for its help, when the news broke that more help and |
| 0:34.3 | more tanks were on their way. |
| 0:37.5 | Ah, just now, I have a call scheduled with Schultz. |
| 0:44.6 | My spokesperson just told me that Schultz has agreed to give us leopard tanks, I'm |
| 0:50.2 | having a call with him just after this interview, I'm very happy. |
| 0:57.0 | For Ukraine, the German announcement was like the cavalry arriving. |
| 1:02.4 | For months now, they've been pleading for one thing that they say could make a real difference. |
| 1:11.5 | Over 60 tons in weight, 1500 PS, start up the engine of the leopard 2A7V. |
| 1:19.4 | The leopard 2A7V, they're big, they're modern, they're powerful, they're even air conditioned, |
| 1:28.6 | and now, after months of provocation, they're on their way to Ukraine. |
| 1:34.5 | Germany has confirmed it will send leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries |
| 1:40.0 | to do the same. |
| 1:41.0 | For weeks, ministers and Kiev have called on ministers in Berlin to allow them to use |
| 1:46.5 | the lekkards in their country, now that call has been answered. |
| 1:51.5 | Within hours, that announcement from the German Chancellor Olaf Schultz was followed by |
| 1:56.8 | one in Washington. |
| 1:58.6 | Today, I'm announcing that the United States will be sending 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. |
| 2:06.8 | So what persuaded Germany to send tanks to a war in Europe? |
| 2:12.6 | Will it change attitudes amongst the Germans who fear a war with Russia? |
... |
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