“Germany has not actually declared war on Russia, despite recent actions characterizing its foreign minister’s statement and Germany’s recent decision to supply heavy weapons to Ukraine, which appears to stem from the claim that evidence of a premeditated war against Russia has been taken out of context by the Russian news agency TASS.”
A Twitter user alleges, “Germany has formally declared war on Russia” (here).
While many users are making the claim figuratively, others appear to question whether Germany really declared war on Russia (here) and (here).
They have appeared out of context. However, earlier on Jan. 25, the Russian state news agency TASS stated that there was evidence of “premeditated war against Russia” due to comments made by Annalena Baerbock, the German Minister of Foreign Affairs (source: tass.Com/politics/1567089).
Jan. 24, Baerbock spoke at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.
During a Q&A session, Baerbock states that European countries are pointing fingers at each other for their actions or lack thereof in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and she expresses that this will only lead to further division in Europe.
We are opposed to war and fighting in Russia because we do not blame Europe for the game, and it is crucial and most important that we do it together. Additionally, we need to have more tanks, as Baerbock mentioned. “We have to do more to defend Ukraine,” she added.
A video of the speech can be viewed (here).
A German foreign ministry spokesperson said that Russia twisted Baerbock’s comments for propaganda purposes, according to Reuters reporting on Jan. 27 (here).
According to reports from Reuters, Germany had been cautious about the moves of Russia that could prompt it to supply Ukraine with 2 Leopard tanks, prompting Germany to announce on Jan. 25 that it would allow its allies in NATO to do the same. Germany faced the conflict in Ukraine and was concerned that these moves could draw NATO into becoming a party to the conflict or escalate the war with Russia.
Following claims by Russia about Germany declaring war on Germany, Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, stated in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF on January 25th that the delivery of tanks does not make the party in Germany a war.
In a move comparable to the announcement made by President Joe Biden, the U.S. Will supply Ukraine with advanced M1 Abrams tanks, prompting Washington. However, Germany resisted sending its main battle tank, the Leopard, to Ukraine.
According to Reuters, the United States and its Western allies have thus far offered financial assistance and resources to Ukraine (here).
VERDICT
Without context, it is unclear if Germany has declared war on Russia.