In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Amir Hossein Askari referred to Germany’s decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, adding: The war in Ukraine, which began with the Russian military attack on February 24, 2022, for the first time since the end of World War II, brought the war to Europe again and as a result, led to different reactions in Europe. In recent months, the Ukrainian government has repeatedly requested Western allies to provide tanks and armor to the country’s army. The countries of the European Union and Britain, which had resisted such a request for a long time, have now changed their policies.

He added: The fear and concern of European countries about the fall of Ukraine and the creation of a favorable environment for Russia’s superiority in Eastern Europe forced them to fully support Ukraine. A variety of measures, including increasing sanctions, as well as arms and logistics to support Ukraine against Russian attacks, were put on the agenda of the Europeans. In the latest support approach to Ukraine, Germany together with the United States decided to deliver “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine along with the American “Abrams M.1”. Germany, like other European countries, supported Ukraine from the beginning of the war by condemning it.

The expert on Europe affairs referred to the differences in German parliament as the reason for the delay in sending Leopard tanks from Germany and said: One of the reasons for the opposition of the critics in sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine was due to their historical experience from World War II. Many Germans believe that sending German tanks to Ukraine will create the same situation that Germany faced in World War II. In this regard, the head of the Alternative for Germany party, criticizing the foreign minister’s remarks about the “EU war against Russia”, demanded resignation of the German foreign minister. According to him, the unprofessional behavior of the foreign minister has endangered the existence of Germany.

Askari added: The opposition believes that if the delivery of the tanks to Ukraine strengthens Kiev against Putin, it is possible that Putin turn to using nuclear weapons while escalating the war. This issue was one of the reasons for the delay of Olaf Schultz in the decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine. Russia, in response to the German government’s decision to send the tanks to Kiev, considered it a “very dangerous” decision that takes the conflict to a new level of confrontation, and declared that Berlin’s decision means that the country is ignoring its historical responsibility towards Russia due to the crimes of the Nazis in World War II.

The director of the Research-News Center of European Studies, stating that Schultz wanted his country not to be the only supplier of heavy tanks to Ukraine, but such concerns and objections made the German government hesitant to supply heavy and aggressive tanks, reminded: Germany after the United States and Britain has been Ukraine’s third-largest supplier of arms and military equipment since the start of the war, and announced last week that as part of its military support for Ukraine, it has sent more missiles for the IRIS-T SLM air defense system, which is used for air defense.

Stating that such combat vehicles can help Ukraine identify the positions of Russian forces, transport soldiers and fire at Russian armored vehicles, the Europe affairs expert said: More than 12 European countries and Germany’s ally in NATO, have Leopard tank equipment at their disposal. They can also provide the needs of the Ukrainian army in the field of auxiliary equipment for Leopard tanks.

At the same time, Askari called support for German government policies among German citizens fragile and explained: In a survey conducted on January 19, it was found that 46% of participants agreed with Berlin’s support for Ukraine. While 43% disagreed with the Berlin policy. But the delivery of Leopard tanks is considered important when American Abrams and Challenger tanks are also mentioned. This can be a significant and powerful combination for Kiev and even military experts.

He pointed to the time of delivery and how to use the tanks as well as the necessary training for the Ukrainian army as the main problems facing Ukraine and the West and continued: Since Leopard 2 is considered as one of the most modern tanks in the world, replacing them with the Soviet-made tanks that are currently being used by Ukraine, can impose a heavy educational burden on the Ukrainian government. Operation of such war machines requires training; so it will probably take a few months for them to appear on the battlefield.

Askari stated that the ambassador of Ukraine in France announced that Western countries have promised to transfer a total of 321 heavy tanks to Kiev, and added: Reports indicate that the United States and France are also planning to send armored vehicles to support the Ukrainian army, tanks that are often much more advanced and efficient than the Soviet-made T72 tanks. Paris also said that it is ready to deliver “Leclerc” tanks to Kiev in the coming weeks. Ukrainian President Zelensky has called the delivery of military tanks by Germany and the United States “an important step for the final victory in the war with Russia”.

The Europe affairs analyst added: Germany’s decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine is seen as a function of the United States decision. Therefore, the German government can only provide a part of those needs. Most likely, after sending the Leopard tanks, Washington and London will also follow that country.

He pointed to the criticisms of the leader of the French Patriot Party and the former representative of that country in the European Parliament that Zelensky is trying to direct the current conflict towards a nuclear war between NATO and Russia with his requests for the supply of fighter aircraft and long-range missiles, added: This French politician had said before that the United States wants to start a world war in Europe and for this purpose it continues to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine.