Berlin Fears German Tanks Attacking Russian Territory

The German magazine "Spiegel" reported, citing sources in the German government, that "Berlin refuses to supply Kyiv with its tanks out of fear that these combat vehicles would 'appear' in Russia. It believes that the Ukrainian leadership could use the German vehicles in an attempt to attack Russian territory, which would remind one of the actions of Nazi Germany during the Great Patriotic War, noting in this context that 'German tanks would once again be on Russian soil.' The sources told the magazine that 'the German government cannot trust Kyiv in this matter,' adding that 'this fear indicates a lack of trust in Berlin towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which has prevented the German defense industry from obtaining permission to supply Kyiv with combat tanks.' Ukrainian Ambassador in Berlin Andriy Melnyk had previously described the German authorities' refusal to supply Kyiv with "Leopard 1" tanks and "Marder" infantry fighting vehicles as a 'disgrace that will enter history.'"