Analysis: Why sending Ukraine tanks represents a fierce new step by the West
CNNJan 25, 2023
Following days of hesitation and mounting pressure, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday announced that his government would provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks while approving requests for other countries to do the same.
Germany said it would initially send 14 tanks from its own stocks, while stating that the aim was for Germany and its allies to send a total of two battalions, equivalent to 88 vehicles. "This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners," Sholz said.
The decision by Germany and the US to send battle tanks is momentous because these — unlike missile defense systems for instance — are not considered defensive weapons. Despite the slight disarray, this signals to Russia that Western allies are committed to fully backing Ukraine in the war and seeing that it comes out victorious.
While Russia will destroy these tanks like all other NATO equipment, this escalation unmasks the West's real intention in Ukraine which is seeking the strategic defeat of Russia. This move should leave no illusions as to who the real aggressors are in this conflict.
There is a 2% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk, or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.