Thread by @vonderburchard

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pushes for the delivery of "heavy weapons" — meaning tanks — to Ukraine.

"One thing is clear: Ukraine needs more military material, especially heavy weapons," Baerbock said at EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

Last week we reported that Baerbock and her Green party colleague Robert Habeck push internally for the delivery of German tanks to Ukraine, but that Chancellor Olaf Scholz has held up the decision.

politico.eu/article/scholz…

German defense ministry on the defense: Spokesperson argues Berlin isn't doing so badly, says Slovakia's much lauded delivery of S-300 air defense systems to Ukraine was only possible because GER, NL & US committed to deploy "Patriot" systems to Slovakia that replace the S-300.

Defense ministry spox: "If we were to deliver Patriots to Ukraine — which we could not do from our own stock — it would still mean that Ukraine would first have to be trained on these highly complex systems, logistics would have to be set up ... all this wouldn't have made sense"

This is also remarkable -- besides demanding "heavy weapons" for Ukraine, Baerbock also issued indirect but harsh criticism of Scholz, who has come up with various arguments why not to send tanks:

"Now is not the time for excuses, now is the time for creativity and pragmatism."

Story here: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday urged Western countries to supply Ukraine with “heavy weapons,” while issuing thinly veiled criticism of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has delayed deliveries of tanks to Kyiv.

politico.eu/article/german…

EU foreign affairs ministers decided to top up €1 billion fund for buying arms for 🇺🇦 with another €500 million.

"The freedom, security and independence of Ukrainians can only be defended with weapons, which is why we will jointly intensify arms deliveries," said Baerbock.

A fresh hope for Western Balkans' EU perspective? In comments following the EU Council, Baerbock says she spoke to her Bulgarian counterpart and they both "agreed that it's central in the current situation to launch the [EU] accession process" with Albania & North Macedonia.

This matters because Bulgaria has so far blocked the launch of accession talks with Albania & North Macedonia. "I hope very much that Bulgaria can and will clear up the points that are still open," Baerbock said.

Strong German warning to Serbia to also apply EU sanctions against Russia:

"If you want to become a member of the European Union, which Serbia wants to become, then it is essential to support the foreign policy of the EU and the sanctions in such moments," Baerbock said.

For those interested in the EU accession perspective of the Western Balkans, check also this separate thread about press conference between Germany's Scholz and Albania's Rama:

https://twitter.com/vonderburchard/status/1513559163619753992

Confronted with Baerbock's push for "heavy weapons," Scholz declined to give a clear reply: "We will continue to support Ukraine in close cooperation with all of our friends, with whom we coordinate. There will be no solo runs but always joint and carefully considered action."

Scholz was also asked about an offer by German defense company Rheinmetall to deliver up to 50 Leopard 1 heavy battle tanks to Ukraine, with the first tank being ready in six weeks — see story by Handelsblatt below.

The Chancellor didn't give an answer.

handelsblatt.com/politik/deutsc…

This struck me as odd: Scholz also claimed that other countries had "followed" Germany's decision to deliver anti-tank and anti-air missiles to Ukraine.

I'd say it was the opposite. By the time of Berlin's 'historic' decision on weapon deliveries, most allies had already done so