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British military expert: "Mr Pistorius caused immense tactical damage to the NATO alliance"

22.01.2023 13:00
British military expert Robert Fox, in an interview for the German station DW, has clarified and confirmed the importance of Leopard tanks for Ukraine's military efforts while being scathing in his criticism of Germany's position.
Olaf Scholz and Boris Pistorius
Olaf Scholz and Boris PistoriusPAP/EPA/FILIP SINGER

"One foot on the accelerator, one foot on the brake."

This is how Robert Fox - Associate Fellow at the Centre for Defence Studies, King's College, London - described German foreign and defence policy towards Ukraine. He emphasized, in his interview for the DW network, that this was also the United States' strategy until recently.

"The one person who has really gained out of this is Vladimir Putin," he continued.

However, Fox went on to say that the US has significantly changed its position to become a much stronger ally of Ukraine. Their position in the early stages of the war was to support Ukraine while being careful to avoid escalating the conflict into "World War III", showing caution in the delivery of long-range weapons. 

Fox suggested that the western allies should today give much more respect to Ukrainian generals, especially Valerii Zaluzhnyi. He said that we need to remember that they have not only demonstrated "tactical genius", but are by now much more experienced in battlefield realities than most of the countries they are asking support from.

Fox explained that Ukraine's generals have a campaign design which requires tanks - hence the clamour for delivery of German-made Leopard tanks. 

While not directly answering the question whether Poland in particular could send Leopard tanks without German approval, Fox had strong words for Germany's new Defence Minister:

"I have to say that Mr Pistorius caused immense tactical damage to the NATO alliance."

The full interview can be viewed here.

Source: DW News

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