Sophia Besch sits down with Stewart to unpack the recent announcement of Germany supplying Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and the future of European defense strategy.
The tanks are heading to Ukraine! After facing pressure from European and international allies, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced this week that Germany will supply Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. Following this, President Joe Biden announced the United States will send M1 Abrams tanks to the frontlines as well. The new supplies of tanks will aid Ukraine against Russia as the war nears the one-year mark.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the EU is having to confront its own defense and security architecture with Germany playing a central role.
Sophia Besch, a fellow in Carnegie’s Europe Program, joins Stewart to talk about Germany’s decision to supply tanks to Ukraine and what lies ahead for European defense.
Sophia Besch. (2023, January 18). “To Really Modernize Its Armed Forces, Germany Needs a Long-Term Increase of the Regular Defense Budget.” 49security.
Sophia Besch. (2022, December 21). “EU Defense and the War In Ukraine.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Sophia Besch and Liana Fix. (2022 November 21). “Don’t Let Zeitenwende Get Derailed.” War on the Rocks.