The German opposition in the Bundestag has demanded an explanation following Polish President Andrzej Duda’s comments in which he criticized the German government for failing to deliver Leopard tanks to replace the post-Soviet T-72 tanks Poland has sent to Ukraine.
Poland, unlike Czechia, has refused to be satisfied with the delivery of an older model of the tanks and is demanding the up-to-date version to replenish its stocks.
Duda recently commented critically on the German government over the matter, telling Poland’s TVP state broadcaster that his country had recently delivered a large number of tanks for Ukraine “as we see that as our duty to help our neighbor.
“A large part of our tank contingent are German Leopards and we would be happy to see the tanks we sent to Ukraine be replaced by the machines from Germany. However, the Germans have not kept their word and we are rather disappointed about this,” the Polish premier added.
The leader of the main opposition CDU party, Friedrich Merz, has called upon Chancellor Olaf Scholz to clarify the matter.
“The accusations against the German government are serious. It is clear a promise was made which has not been kept. The government must quickly explain why it has not kept its word,” Merz demanded.
The issue was also raised during a meeting of Polish and German foreign ministers, Zbigniew Rau and Annalena Baerbock, on Tuesday in Davos with Poland “noting the explanation given by Germany.”
