The word "tank" does not appear in a paper written by 24 members of the Bundestag from the Greens and FDP. But the direction of attack goes to the address of the SPD: The situation in Ukraine is dramatic, Germany must ensure that Kyiv can defend itself better.
In a joint paper, 24 members of the Bundestag from the Greens and FDP demand more arms deliveries to Ukraine. The letter says: "We appeal to the Federal Government and our partners in the European Union and NATO to evaluate and, if necessary, to restructure the respective national military capabilities and plans together in order to provide Ukraine with qualitatively higher supplies of equipment and weapons for the to enable the liberation of the territory illegally occupied by Russia."
The paper is entitled "Together for Peace in Ukraine and Europe - An Appeal" and is dated Sunday. The Russian war of aggression is directed "primarily against Ukraine as an independent, democratic, progressive and free state," it says. The attack is also aimed "directly at European integration as an epoch-making process that has created democracy, stability, peace and freedom on our continent."
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants "an unstable world in which, instead of a peace order based on international law, a conflict order is established in which interests are enforced through armament and military strength," say the 24 MPs. "We don't want to accept such a world, in which the law of the strongest should apply."
Regarding Germany's role, it says: "As a country that is responsible for the worst human rights crimes in Europe - especially in Poland and the countries of the former Soviet Union - we are particularly committed to restoring and securing peace." It is "morally imperative, legal and correct" that Germany has already made "a significant amount of armaments available" to Ukraine. Nevertheless, the situation in Ukraine remains "dramatic". "Germany has the political, economic and military prerequisites to initiate joint coordinated action among our partners and allies," it says in response to the demand for more arms deliveries. "Let's move forward together!" demanded the deputies.
Among the signatories are the group's defense policy spokeswoman, Sara Nanni, and the chair of the European Committee, Anton Hofreiter. From the FDP, among others, the chairwoman of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, and parliamentary group leader Gyde Jensen are present.
