Ukraine not to use Europe’s weapons to attack Russia: German Chancellor

The battle tanks, according to the German Chancellor, are meant to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian military attacks and not invade Russian territory.

New Delhi, Feb 6: What looks like a German reaction to the statement from Vladimir Putin that after 80 years German tanks are again on the Russian borders, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasised that Ukraine cannot use the weapons supplied to it to attack Russian territory. According to him, Volodymyr Zelensky promised the European nations that they would not use their weapons to attack Russian territory.

Therefore, what the German Chancellor is making sure is that all the military aid given to Ukraine is just for defensive purposes. This also entails the fact that European nations have made it clear to Ukrainian leadership that Ukraine could expect the assistance as long as it is not breaching the trust bestowed upon it. The unwritten principle on which military aid is being given to Ukraine is 'don't touch Russian territory.'

Germany has sold more than 80 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine and several other countries too have been delivering their state of the art weapons and defence products.

Don't touch Russian territory

It's a strong message to Ukraine that they have been requesting for weapons and other military aids from European countries in the last one year or so that the same could not be used on the Russian territory. In an interview, the German Chancellor emphasised that there is a consensus agreement with Ukraine that Western weapons would be used only on the territory of Ukraine.

He clarified that German tanks would not be on the Russian borders as was claimed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Ridiculing what Putin said about the German tanks, the Chancellor said that his words are part of a series of absurd historical comparisons that he uses to justify his attack on Ukraine.

He re-emphasised that the Ukraine war cannot be justified by anything and, according to him, Russia is waging a merciless war against Ukraine. Whatever is being supplied to Ukraine in military aid, according to the Chancellor, is based on principles. He has been quoted saying that together with its allies, Germany is providing Ukraine with battle tanks.

The battle tanks, according to the German Chancellor, are meant to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian military attacks. He clarified that Germany has thoroughly considered that each delivery of weapons is done only after the coordination with the allies. The joint approach and consensus building is meant to stop the two countries from escalating the war.