Germany’s dithering over Ukraine shows that it is the weak link in Nato

sir – Germany is reluctant to provide the Leopard 2 tanks that the Ukrainians have been asking for (report, January 22).

A European country is fighting for its life against Russian aggression, yet the Germans are refusing to give it the help it needs. They are the weak link in the Nato alliance.

David Conway Theydon Bois, Essex

sir – Whatever Germany’s final decision on the Leopard 2 tanks, it has probably permanently damaged its reputation among Nato members and put the death nail into its defence industry. Who will buy its kit if permission is required to use it?

The Germans’ prevarication is no doubt in part to do with the horrors of the Second World War, and the role that some of their forebears played in them. But by not providing tanks, they are simply helping another murderous dictator.

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-gordon Tisbury, Wiltshire sir – Germany fiddles while Ukraine burns.

The Earl of Macclesfield

Henley-on-thames, Oxfordshire

sir – Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his defence minister Boris Pistorius are clearly too young to have experienced the 1948 Berlin Airlift, but may care to contemplate the history of Western allies facing an aggressive Russia (or Soviet Union, as it was in those days).

It is hard to criticise Angela Merkel for attempting to foster good relations with Russia, but it is never sensible to put one’s head in a tiger’s mouth. Russia has shown antipathy towards independent states bordering its territory for many years, yet Germany allowed itself to become dangerously dependent on Russian oil and gas.

Germany should now do all it can to minimise the threat to its allies by releasing some of its tanks. After all, what are they there for, if not to repel Russian aggression?

Adrian Thornton

Shackleford, Surrey sir – Presumably Boris Pistorius thinks he is helping to secure peace in our time. Has he never read a single history book?

John Newbury

Warminster, Wiltshire

sir – Germany’s procrastination over supplying tanks is a disgrace, as timing is critical.

Other Nato members who own these tanks and recognise their vital importance to defeating the Russians should deliver them immediately to Ukraine and not wait for approval. In doing so, they should make it clear to Germany that, if there are any repercussions, they will never again buy its military equipment.

If this does not happen, Britain should send more Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. They were designed to destroy Russian tanks and that is what they should be doing now, irrespective of the numbers needed for the future modernisation programme.

Rear Admiral Philip Mathias (retd)