Germany under pressure on arms to Ukraine after French decision

Chancellor Olaf Scholz came under increasing pressure in Germany on Thursday to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine following the French decision to supply reconnaissance vehicles described as "light tanks," reported dpa.

Ukraine has repeatedly requested delivery of German Leopard 2 main battle tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, but Scholz has pointed to the fact that other NATO allies have also not been providing heavy armour.

Politicians from the Greens and the liberal FDP – both parties within Scholz's governing coalition – are calling for a change of policy, as are the main conservative opposition parties, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described France's decision to supply AMX-10 RC reconnaissance vehicles as a "clear signal" to other Western nations. "There is no rational reason why tanks of Western manufacture have not been supplied to Ukraine thus far," he said.

Ukraine has to date received from NATO countries only older heavy armour of Soviet manufacture. Modern heavy artillery and other equipment have also been supplied.

The question facing the German government is whether the French vehicles, which are wheeled and carry a large cannon, do in fact mean that a threshold has been crossed.

Zelensky believes that this is the case. "France is taking defence support to Ukraine up to a new level," he said.

Also increasing the pressure on Scholz is confirmation on Wednesday by US President Joe Biden that he is considering supplying Bradley infantry fighting vehicles comparable to the Marder.