BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Johann Wadephul (CDU), has accused the German chancellor of obstinacy in the debate on the delivery of battle tanks. "Everyone wants it. Finland wants to deliver, Spain has wanted to for some time, Poland has now gone on the offensive and the stubborn chancellor is standing in the way," Wadephul said Friday on RTL/ntv's "Frühstart" program. That could not be Germany's role, he added. Scholz had very quickly gambled away a leadership role, he said. "Germany must lead in the defense of freedom in Ukraine," Wadephul said.

Poland had agreed Wednesday to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 main battle tanks for one company, along with alliance partners. Finland also indicated cautious willingness on Thursday to provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. This increases pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the traffic light government to respond to Kiev's months-long demands and requests for heavy weapons.

Germany plays a key role in the debate because the tanks were developed in Germany. As a rule, the transfer of German-made armaments to third parties must be approved./svv/DP/jha