KIEV (dpa-AFX) - International concern about the hesitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on the tank issue is growing. Several EU states criticized the German government at the meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, some very clearly. Poland announced that it would ask Germany for permission to supply the German-made Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine - but made it clear that it would supply Leopard 2 tanks without permission in a small coalition if necessary. "If the Germans are not in this coalition, we will still transfer our tanks to Ukraine along with others," head of government Mateusz Morawiecki said Monday in Poznan.

German government approval is required to deliver German-made tanks to other countries. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) sidestepped a question at an EU foreign ministers' meeting on whether the German government would quickly approve a request to supply Leopard battle tanks from other countries to Ukraine. In Brussels on Monday, she merely explained why, in her view, a decision was needed.

Putin has not deviated from his plan to destroy Ukraine, the Green Party politician said. "That's why it's so important that we as an international community do everything we can to defend Ukraine." Earlier, she had said in an interview about Poland's plans, "We have not been asked so far and (...) if we were asked, we would not stand in the way." Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said on Monday, "If such a request were to be made in Germany, which is not the case at the moment, then there are well-rehearsed procedures for this, in which such a request is answered. And we all abide by those."

Poland, meanwhile, sees the need for German supplies as well. "They have more than 350 Leopard tanks in service and about two hundred in stock. That's why they can really help Ukraine today, fighting Ukraine, because there this fight also means fight for security, for peace in Europe," Morawiecki said.

"We have to overcome the fear of defeating Russia," Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in Brussels. "What stops us is the fear of what will happen if Russia loses this war." His Latvian counterpart Edgars Rinkevics said of Germany's role, "Being big also brings a big responsibility. But at this point, I don't think there are good arguments why battle tanks and air defense systems can't be provided."

Addressing Berlin, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said "we know (...) that any serious decision has always taken time." He said he was confident that in the end they would end up where they needed to end up. The important thing, he said, is that Ukraine can fight back if the Russians launch a spring attack. According to him, 300 Leopard tanks would be needed.

In a letter to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, dozens of British MPs also called for delivery of the battle tanks. "We understand the historical reasons for the reluctance to provide German and German-made tanks," the Sun newspaper quoted the letter as saying Monday. "However, we would urge you at this moment of extreme urgency to reconsider your position."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Moscow-based Interfax news agency, that the back-and-forth between EU states over the Leopard tank showed the "nervousness" there. "Above all, for all these actions, for this pseudo-support, the Ukrainian people will pay," Peskov said.

SPD leader wants no more "cross shots" from coalition

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil criticized "cross shots" from politicians of the FDP and the Greens on the tank issue and urged the party leaders of the coalition partners to intervene. "I know what I would do as party leader if such cross shots were constantly coming from my party," Klingbeil said in Berlin. "That's where I would have a word with the relevant people. After all, that doesn't cast a good light on one's own party leadership if there are constantly some on the move like that."

Bundeswehr moves Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Poland

Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr has begun moving the first two of three promised Patriot anti-aircraft missile squadrons from Germany to Poland. Three convoys with 40 vehicles and 150 soldiers set off from Gnoien (Rostock district) on Monday. The air defense systems are to take up deployment positions in the vicinity of the town of Zamosc in southeastern Poland. From there, it is about 60 kilometers to the Ukrainian border and 110 kilometers to the Ukrainian city of Lviv (Lemberg). The third squadron is to follow in the next few days. "Patriot is a purely defensive system," said the contingent commander of the Bundeswehr forces in Poland, Col. Jörg Sievers. The goal, he said, is to protect NATO airspace and thus Polish territory, infrastructure and population.

Moscow: Ukraine hides weapons at nuclear power plant site

Russia's foreign intelligence service accuses Ukraine of stationing weapons supplied by the West on the grounds of nuclear power plants to protect them from destruction. Kiev's calculation was that Russian troops would not carry out strikes against nuclear power plants because of the danger of a nuclear catastrophe, the head of the foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, announced in Moscow. It is not possible to verify this information. Naryshkin claimed that there were credible indications that such things as Himars-type multiple rocket launchers and large-caliber artillery were housed there.

London sees skepticism toward new Russian commander-in-chief

The new Russian commander-in-chief in Ukraine, Valery Gerasimov, is being met with skepticism among the troops and the private army Wagner, according to British assessments. The chief of staff places a lot of emphasis on increasing discipline, the British Ministry of Defense said Monday, citing intelligence. "Prioritizing mainly small regulations is likely to confirm the fears of his many skeptics in Russia." Gerasimov was concerned, for example, with uniforms that did not comply with regulations, the use of cell phones and civilian vehicles, and haircuts that did not conform to the norm. "But the biggest ridicule was for improving the standard of shaving troops."/mrd/DP/jha