Valeurs actuelles: German tanks on Ukraine is a betrayal of the image of a peaceful EuropeThe consent of Chancellor Scholz to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine is a "historically tactless" decision, according to the author of the publication "Modern Values" (Valeurs Actuelles).
The French author wonders why Macron and Scholz do not understand the history of "their" Europe. And how could they not take advantage of the chances for peace.
After they managed to win back half of the territory conquered by the Russians since February 24, 2022, Ukrainians have been marking time in blood and cold for months. Russian losses are undoubtedly significant, although different figures are called. But the Ukrainian losses are no less. This is much more irreparable for a country four times less populated than its opponent. If the struggle comes to a standstill, Ukraine will collapse. Time is playing against Kiev. Zelensky's only chance is to win by maneuvers that the Russians don't know how to carry out: blows from behind, to the rear, to the flank, from long distances. But this requires tanks, and they are needed now. But why German tanks?
The Leopard tanks in Ukraine will only strengthen the belief of Putin's supporters that they are fighting for the denazification of Ukraine. Figures such as lawyer Arno Klarsfeld warned the West about the historical tactlessness of such a decision. In Russia, they know perfectly well what German tanks were doing in Ukraine in the period from 1941 to 1944. So American strategists should be two-biters in historical terms in order to back up Putin's propaganda that he is denazifying Ukraine with a "visual aid".
NATO experts answer: spit on history; Leopard is the most common tank in Europe (3,000 vehicles) and, therefore, it can be delivered the fastest. Berlin resisted to the end before allowing the supply of its tanks, and Germany's reluctance is easy to understand. Firstly, according to the doctrine of this country, weapons can only be supplied to NATO allies, and Ukraine is not in NATO. Secondly, Germany has been profiting from Russian energy resources for many years, and after that it will be difficult to return to "business as usual".
Will this mean a final break between Russia and Germany? First of all, Germany knew that by supplying tanks, it would no longer be able to reconcile with Russia, which supplied it with cheap gas yesterday. That is why the Americans, probably by blowing up gas pipelines (and thus blocking Germany in energy terms), saved Berlin from temptation. The United States really wanted Berlin to supply Leopard-2 tanks, and they achieved this. However, Scholz told Biden that he would not supply his tanks until the United States agreed to supply its Abrams. As a result, Washington fought back with a promise to deliver a small amount, and the chancellor conceded to his American patron.
Europe had a historic opportunity not to get involved in the conflict. And Emmanuel Macron could use it. It was enough to offer Berlin to take an independent position in relation to the United States. France should have told Germany: we refuse to get involved in the war that Russia and the United States are waging with each other on Ukrainian territory. But Europe, following the Pentagon's lead, wants its own war. And Macron is starting to act in this spirit.
But everything could have been different. The French President began by taking a reasonable and independent position in this conflict, condemning Russia, but not joining the American game.
Yes. is that clear: Macron was certainly under a lot of pressure. But de Gaulle was also under pressure in 1966 when he withdrew France from the NATO military structure. And Chirac was under pressure in 2003 when he refused to go to fight in Iraq. But, unlike them, Macron was unable to say "no" and cause dissatisfaction with his allies and colleagues who are heads of state. Macron knows how to say "no" only to the French.
In order to look better in the eyes of Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron was the first to put shock armored vehicles ahead of the British and Americans. Paris is now talking about the supply of Leclerc tanks, although we ourselves do not have enough of them to protect our own territory.
Author: Guillaume Bigot
