@IAMAL_PHARIUS @sickburnbro @nugger Yep, looks like it. but it also gives an answer, does it not?
Different from what you were implying, the Germans said
"The US has to send M1 Abrams if they want us to send Leopard 2"
So it was an internal quibble about who is paying his fair share and who isn't. Not some German loyalists or whomever trying to protect their precious tanks.