Disinfo: Germany does not provide Leopard tanks to oppose American colonisation of Europe

Summary

Germany is reluctant to respond to Western demands to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks because the main beneficiary of this deal is the United States and its military-industrial complex. Germany keeps such a modest line because of political and internal economic reasons. In the background of the [Ukrainian] conflict, a systemic global economic crisis is unfolding. The United States is de-industrialising Europe, starting with Germany, to subjugate the European economy.

Disproof

A recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the alleged lost sovereignty of the EU and its member states (more examples). Pro-Kremlin outlets often portray European states as vassals, puppet states or colonies of the US and NATO.

The German decision regarding the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is not connected to the alleged American “colonisation” of Europe. At the present moment, Germany has a political discussion on a possible supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the German authorities announced that they would not block the supply of these tanks to Ukraine by other NATO countries (such as Poland).

In terms of the alleged American “colonisation” of Europe, the European Union is a sovereign entity created by the voluntary initiative of European nations, and it has its own independent foreign policy. Its citizens are directly represented in the European Parliament and Member States are represented in the European Council and the Council of the EU.

Although the United States is not part of these institutions and has no say in its decisions, the US is an important long-term ally to the EU.

Read similar disinformation cases claiming that EU and NATO member states are subordinate to the US, while the US has long regarded the EU as a kind of protectorate, that lined up with the US, the EU never took independent decisions, that Europe is a colony of the United States, that When the US orders, the EU complies.

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publication/media

Sputnik Poland
  • Reported in: Issue 327
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21/01/2023
  • Article language(s) Polish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Germany, Ukraine, US, EU
  • Keywords: Imperialism/colonialism, War in Ukraine, US presence in Europe, Sovereignty, Military, Economic difficulties
*
This disinformation claim was broadcast on the date mentioned above. Due to the EU decisions  to temporarily restrict the spread and dissemination of RT, Sputnik and other instruments used to manipulate information and promote disinformation about the invasion of Ukraine inside the EU, access to the link may not work inside the EU.
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