US criticizes unwillingness of Germany to transfer Leopard tanks to Kyiv

Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, has criticized Germany’s unwillingness to transfer offensive weapons to Kyiv, namely Leopard tanks, and suggested immediately sending US tanks to Ukraine, Report informs referring to Politico.

A number of American lawmakers who aren’t in the swanky Swiss ski town are infuriated with Germany’s decision.

“The allies have lost focus on the nature of the problem. You either win or you lose,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a phone interview. “I can’t believe we’re still arguing among ourselves.”

Officials in Kyiv have been pleading for the West to send modern battle tanks ahead of an expected spring offensive by Russia. Meanwhile, a group of European nations - likely to be led by Poland - is working to form a coalition to pressure Berlin to allow them to send their Leopards, since Germany has to sign off on the deal.

Graham called on the Biden administration to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine immediately because it “will open up the floodgates” by compelling Germany to greenlight the Leopards.

German officials have taken the same stance as Scholz in the last few days. By saying the US must move first, they’re trying to fend off pressure from European allies who want to send the German-made tanks to Ukraine but need export approval from Berlin.

Scholz also told President Joe Biden that the US has to give the Abrams first, according to German media reports.