Germany, tanks and Ukraine: Why Scholz had to change his mind

Germany’s delay sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine frustrated European allies – will it do lasting damage to relations on the continent? Was this a missed opportunity for Scholz to have led the way internationally in the fight against Russia? Alex Andreou speaks to Jeremy Cliffe, New Statesman’s writer-at-large based in Berlin, to discuss Germany’s position and what it tells us about the nation. 

• “Germany’s perspective on the world has required adjusting… it has edged towards making more responsibility.” 
• “It took too long for Scholz to grapple with the problems, reflection is one thing, putting one’s head in the sand is another.” 
• “Germany’s political culture moves quite gradually and slowly.” 
• “Being highly methodological and efficient can also lead to great inefficiency.” 

www.patreon.com/bunkercast 

Presented by Alex Andreou. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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