Opposition Parties Force German Parliament to Delay Vote on Tanks, Armored Vehicles Transfer to Ukraine

Transfer of Leopold tanks, Fuchs armored personnel carriers (APCs) and the Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to Ukraine may be indefinitely delayed following the postponement of a vote on arms transfer to Kyiv in the Bundestag on Thursday.

German outlet NTV reported that the parliament failed to support the proposal of the opposition CDU/CSU bloc to supply Ukraine with tanks and other armored vehicles.

The proposal for the urgent transfer of weapons to Ukraine was submitted for discussion to the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Deputies of the “traffic light coalition” and members of the “left” faction have opposed it, delaying the transfer of weapons to Kyiv.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Free Democratic Party MP, has however called for a positive decision on the issue. “In the current military situation, in which the Ukrainian army is gradually recapturing its territories, we must at least transfer the Fuchs armored personnel carriers and the Marder IFV. And if the situation requires it, then perhaps the Leopard battle tank,” the deputy said.

Politico, citing its own sources, reported that the U.S. and Germany are hesitant to deliver M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks in part due to problems with the training and logistics of these combat vehicles.