The Swiss publication Neue Zürcher Zeitung told the details of the decision of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the supply of Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
They emphasize that this was spontaneous and unexpected, because Scholz believed that the United States would not agree to transfer Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Sources of the publication among German politicians said that in mid-January, US President Joe Biden instructed the head of the CIA, William Burns, to visit Kyiv and Moscow and assess their readiness for negotiations.
The plan was simple: territories in exchange for peace. Muscovites allegedly should receive about 20% of the territory of Ukraine and end the war. Both countries refused. Ukraine did not want to give up territories, while Russia believes that in the long run they will be able to win the war and occupy even more territories.
According to sources, there is controversy in the White House over the end of the war in Ukraine. In particular, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and CIA chief William Burns want to end the war as soon as possible and focus on the problem of China. At the same time, State Department head Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin do not want Russia to destroy the international security system and are in favor of more active military support for Ukraine.
It was after Ukraine and Russia abandoned the proposed plan that US President Biden agreed to Scholz’s condition and announced the transfer of Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian army. This forced the German chancellor to also give permission for the supply of Leopard tanks.
Source: Racurs
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