"The provocation is the war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine," German chancellor Olaf Scholz said at the Bundestag, Report informs, citing BBC.
Speaking about the decision to send the Leopard 2 tanks and giving permission to other countries to send theirs, Chancellor Scholz says it is "the right principle".
"There are citizens in our country who worry. To these citizens, I want to say: Trust me! Trust the federal government!"He's asked what has changed Germany's position and why sending tanks is no longer seen as a provocation.
"It would be a severe mistake to proceed on our own, we have to coordinate with our partner and allies," Scholz answered.
"I never used the word 'provocation'. The provocation is the war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine," he said.