After US offer, Germany unleashes Leopard tanks for Ukraine

[Martin68]

15. The diplomatic process requires a bit of kabuki for both the domestic audience and the international

one. "Twist my arm" is the expression used in everyday life, and it applies at the national level, too. Germany and the US are messaging Russia that they are extremely reluctant to escalate the level of military support for Ukraine, but international and domestic pressure are just too much to bear. The US "reluctantly" says, "Oh, OK, if Germany won't provide Leopard Tanks then I guess we'll have to put a few M1 Abrams in the game." And Germany resigned says, "Oh, well, if the US is willing to make such a gesture it would be rude of us to refuse." As a front-line state next in line if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, Poland broke the ice. I kind of imagine Putin, going, "Damn, I was hoping NATO would fragment we'd have an opportunity to take back lost ground in the spring. I wonder if Saudi Arabia will take me in as a well-heeled refugee."