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From the SitRoom to the E-Ring, the inside scoop on defense, national security and foreign policy. | | | | |  | | By Alexander Ward, Matt Berg and Lawrence Ukenye | | 
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also told President Joe Biden that the U.S. has to give the Abrams first, according to German media reports. | Markus Schreiber/AP Photo | With help from Jakob Hanke Vela, Hans von der Burchard, Suzanne Lynch, Lili Bayer and Daniel Lippman Subscribe here | Email Alex | Email Matt DAVOS, Switzerland — One of the most significant moments at the World Economic Forum happened out of sight in a quiet room: OLAF SCHOLZ, the German chancellor, told the American congressional delegation that he won’t send Leopard tanks to Ukraine until the U.S. agrees to transfer its Abrams tanks. The exchange in Davos, described by four people with knowledge of what was said, including Rep. SETH MOULTON (D-Mass.), was respectful in tone but showed just how far apart Washington and Berlin are on a tank deal. Moulton said Scholz made a “fairly reasonable” request because Germany relies on the U.S. for nuclear deterrence and the Germans “are much closer to this fight than we are.” Scholz was “pretty direct,” one person said. The lawmakers in the room — which included Moulton alongside Sens. CHRIS COONS (D-Del.), JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) and MARIA CANTWELL (D-Wash.) — were surprised to hear the remark as they felt more progress has been made on the issue, two people said. Asked about the conversation on the sidelines of the glitzy gathering, Coons, the delegation’s leader, declined to confirm the exchange. But, he made sure to say, “we need to find a way to move forward together.” A German spokesperson also declined to provide details. A number of American lawmakers who aren’t in the swanky Swiss ski town are infuriated with Germany’s decision. “The allies have lost focus on the nature of the problem. You either win or you lose,” Sen. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-S.C.) said in a phone interview. “I can’t believe we’re still arguing among ourselves.” Officials in Kyiv have been pleading for the West to send modern battle tanks ahead of an expected spring offensive by Russia. Meanwhile, a group of European nations — likely to be led by Poland — is working to form a coalition to pressure Berlin to allow them to send their Leopards, since Germany has to sign off on the deal. Graham called on the Biden administration to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine immediately because it “will open up the floodgates” by compelling Germany to greenlight the Leopards. German officials have taken the same stance as Scholz in the last few days. By saying the U.S. must move first, they’re trying to fend off pressure from European allies who want to send the German-made tanks to Ukraine but need export approval from Berlin. Scholz also told President JOE BIDEN that the U.S. has to give the Abrams first, according to German media reports.
| | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | | WAGNER CLAIMS UKRAINIAN STRONGHOLD: The head of the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner Group claimed its forces had taken the Ukrainian village of Klishchiivka, a southwestern stronghold near the contested city of Bakhmut, The New York Times’ IVAN NECHEPURENKO and THOMAS GIBBONS-NEFF report. Ukrainian military officials rejected YEVGENY PRIGOZHIN’s claims that his fighters had captured the area, saying his forces were repelled over the last day. Losing the village could make it more difficult for Ukrainian troops to keep Bakhmut, as Russia could sever supply lines to the city. And with Russian advances on the city of Soledar to the north, Ukraine’s odds of maintaining control of Bakhmut seem increasingly shaky. Prigozhin’s claims come as our own ERIN BANCO reported that the Wagner Group is expanding its mining projects in Africa to bring in millions that will help it prop up its military operations in Ukraine, citing a Western official and a U.S. cable. TOP OFFICIALS ABROAD: Defense Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN met with his new German counterpart BORIS PISTORIUS in Berlin today as the two countries await the others’ move on providing tanks to Ukraine. In the talks, Pistorious didn’t specifically mention providing Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. He did say, however, that German weapons sent to battle have proven their worth and that “we will continue in the future, together with our partners,” to support Ukraine, the Associated Press’ GEIR MOULSON and JAMEY KEATEN report. The meeting comes one day before Austin meets at Ramstein Air Base in Germany with counterparts from 50 countries to coordinate new shipments of military aid to Ukraine. The Biden administration’s package will likely include a number of Strykers, an eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems, as well as ground-launched Small Diameter Bombs, which have a range of roughly 100 miles, two of the people familiar with the tranche told POLITICO Wednesday. Meanwhile, national security adviser JAKE SULLIVAN met with Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU in Israel, where the pair discussed Iran’s nuclear program and ways to enhance normalization agreements reached under the Trump administration, per a readout from the prime minister’s office. NATO’S FOCAL POINT?: The western military alliance’s “center of gravity” is shifting to Warsaw, a top Polish military official told our own LILI BAYER. At the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Poland’s Gen. RAJMUND ANDRZEJCZAK listed the many worries on his mind — all Russia-related. These include Kaliningrad, the Russian enclave sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania that the general called “the most militarized piece of Russia,” and Brest, a border town in Belarus that is “only 200 kilometers” from Warsaw. Speaking about NATO’s new force model, Andrzejczak said that work is “going in a good direction.” But he also alluded to diverging approaches within the alliance. “Sometimes we have some challenges in the different capitals to go with the same momentum, the same speed, because there will be cost — time and money,” he said, adding that there is a need to “motivate other capitals.” Responding to a question from POLITICO on divergences in perspective on the new force model, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. CHRISTOPHER CAVOLI, said that “our alliance consists of 30 different member states, and each one has its own voice — and it's been my job to bring rigorous military logic into the conversation.” Cavoli told reporters that “one of the big questions is what is the size of the threat.” The ongoing work involves looking at both capabilities and capacity, according to the general, to understand what’s needed. ARDERN ALL DONE: New Zealand Prime Minister JACINDA ARDERN announced that she will soon resign after serving for six years in the post, saying she doesn’t have “enough in the tank” to do the job anymore. IT’S THURSDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily. This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at award@politico.com and mberg@politico.com, and follow us on Twitter at @alexbward and @mattberg33. While you’re at it, follow the rest of POLITICO’s national security team: @nahaltoosi, @woodruffbets, @politicoryan, @PhelimKine, @laraseligman, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @leehudson, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130, @ErinBanco and @Lawrence_Ukenye.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Our mission is to prepare you for the future by engineering advanced capabilities today.
Many of today’s military systems and platforms were designed to operate independently. Through our 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin is accelerating innovation, connecting defense and digital to enhance the performance of major platforms, to equip customers to stay ahead of emerging threats. Learn more. | | | | | | A FRIEND OF CHINA AND RUSSIA: South African military officials said China and Russia will hold naval drills in the Indian Ocean next month off the South African coast, the Associated Press’ MOGOMOTSI MAGOME and GERALD IMRAY report. The announcement, which came days before Russian Foreign Minister SERGEY LAVROV is set to visit the nation, highlights a strengthening relationship between the two countries and South Africa. A “multinational maritime exercise” will be conducted from Feb. 17 to 27 off South near the cities of Durban and Richards Bay, officials said in the statement. Held during the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the drills will also bring attention to South Africa’s refusal to partner with the West in its efforts to back Ukraine. South African officials maintain neutrality in the conflict, but the country’s opposition party has criticized government officials for the recent actions, saying they’ve effectively partnered with Russia.
| | | NEW YEAR, NEW CYBER STRATEGY: The White House’s new national cyber strategy will "reinforce" existing directives around securing critical infrastructure, along with focusing on international cyber engagement, a senior administration official told our own MAGGIE MILLER (for Pros!). The five-pillared strategy will serve as a road map for the administration’s cybersecurity approach, and will be the first national cyber strategy in almost five years. The official, granted anonymity to speak freely about the strategy ahead of its public release, told POLITICO Wednesday that “the strategy will reinforce the steps the administration has already taken to secure certain sectors,” such as the maritime and pipeline sectors. The timing for formal publication of the strategy is currently not clear. READ: ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI's crypto comeback in Davos by RYAN HEATH, SUZANNE LYNCH and Erin.
| | | SWEDISH TANKS: Sweden will provide Ukraine with $419 million in military aid, which includes armored infantry fighting vehicles and the Archer artillery system, Reuters' JOHAN AHLANDER and NIKLAS POLLARD report. Sweden, still waiting to be admitted into NATO, currently has 48 Archer systems and did not comment on how many would be given to Ukraine. The new round of aid surpasses the Nordic country's previous record amount of military assistance in November, which was roughly $285 million. The latest round of support comes as military leaders in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are set to discuss how to supply Kyiv's forces going forward, including that added pressure on Germany to provide Leopards. FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY — NO TO BUDGET CUTS: Aerospace industry leaders are urging Congress to avoid cuts to budgets of the Pentagon, NASA and the FAA, citing concerns that slashes to spending could hurt national security and the U.S. economy. "Our allies and our adversaries are watching; we must meet the moment unified in our shared mission to protect the American people and our values," wrote ERIC FANNING, CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, in a letter to congressional leaders. "At a time when the world is more dangerous than ever, we cannot send mixed signals about our commitment to national security." Fanning expressed concerns about how current FAA aviation reforms and NASA research could be affected by shrinking their respective budgets, weakening U.S. global leadership and hindering its ability to compete with China. Some House Republicans have sought to use their increased leverage to reduce defense spending, a battle that may draw bipartisan resistance from defense hawks in both parties.
| | | | DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID. | | | | | | | | A CONGRESSMAN’S DAVOS DESIRES: To be at Davos was to watch Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) aim to convince Europeans that the Inflation Reduction Act won’t harm their economies, Alex and SUZANNE LYNCH report. In meetings with the leaders of Germany and Luxembourg in Davos, and with France’s EMMANUEL MACRON in Washington, Manchin explained that the IRA is meant to boost America’s energy and technological security. Nothing in it was meant to target Europe’s most precious industries. “It was intended to keep America strong, so we could help our friends. That’s it,” he told Scholz on WEF’s sidelines. Europeans remain skeptical, saying it puts their economics in a bind. Some U.S. lawmakers, like Rep. Moulton, told NatSec Daily that the Europeans had legitimate arguments against the IRA, though the goal was mainly to compete with China, not Europe. Manchin fully believes the law will strengthen America’s national security and make it a better ally. The question now is: How good of a sales job did he do?
| | | 'OUR ENEMY': Top diplomats from Iran and South Korea met this week to cool tensions after South Korean President YOON SUK YEOL referred to Iran as "our enemy" during a trip to the United Arab Emirates, the Associated Press' KIM TONG-HYUNG reports. “The security of our brother nation is our security,” Yoon said on Monday. “The enemy of the UAE, its most-threatening nation, is Iran, and our enemy is North Korea.” The comments irritated Iran's Foreign Ministry, which described Yoon's statements as "interfering," while South Korean officials insist the remarks were designed to encourage troops in attendance for the speech. South Korea and the UAE have strengthened relations on energy and defense in recent years, a sign that this spat may not be the last time Seoul and Tehran step on each other's toes.
| | | |   | | | | | | —FIRST IN NATSEC DAILY: MICHAEL PILLSBURY has joined The Heritage Foundation as a senior fellow for China Strategy, where he will work with the new U.S. House Select Committee on China and contribute to Heritage’s 2025 Presidential Transition Project. He previously spent eight years at the Hudson Institute, where he served as a senior fellow and director for Chinese Strategy. — SCOTT CULLINANE is now a senior government relations adviser at American-Ukrainian non-profit Razom for Ukraine. He most recently was deputy team leader for B&S Europe, where he worked on a contract for the EU Delegation in Washington and is also a former visiting fellow with the German Marshall Fund and a professional staff member for the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
| | | — LALLY WEYMOUTH, The Washington Post: Pakistani foreign minister: ‘Democracy is the only way to take on terrorism’ — FAWZIA KOOFI, The New York Times: Believing the Taliban's lies makes us all unsafe — Editorial Board, The Wall Street Journal: A crucial moment for Ukraine
| | | — Progressive International, 2 p.m.: The Belmarsh Tribunal — The Center for Strategic and International Studies, 3:30 p.m.:Overreach: How China Derailed its Peaceful Rise — Secretary of Defense LLOYD AUSTIN and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. MARK MILLEY will meet with members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Have a natsec-centric event coming up? Transitioning to a new defense-adjacent or foreign policy-focused gig? Shoot me an email at award@politico.com to be featured in the next edition of the newsletter. Thanks to our editor, Heidi Vogt, who wants us to give up control of this newsletter in exchange for nothing. We also thank our producer, Kierra Frazier, who would probably do better with it, anyway.
| | A message from Lockheed Martin: Our mission is to prepare you for the future by engineering advanced capabilities today.
Many of today’s military systems and platforms were designed to operate independently. Through our 21st Century Security vision, Lockheed Martin is accelerating innovation, connecting defense and digital to enhance the performance of major platforms, to equip customers to stay ahead of emerging threats. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Follow us | | | | |  |
