And that while there was some laughter at the beginning at the German delivery of five thousand helmets, he continues. “It was right,” Piri says. “And at the moment they are – as far as I know – the largest supplier of military equipment to Ukraine. Including those Patriot missile systems that matter.’
Too much time
But the delivery of the modern Leopard 2 tanks takes too long, according to the deputy, and Piri thinks it is a big risk with the ever-increasing threat in Ukraine. “We also have to look at the reality in Ukraine,” he says. “Heavier weapons are needed and I think the awareness is very large in the Netherlands, both in the House and within the cabinet. In no way should we allow Russia to have a chance to win the war.”
And therefore we need to take steps, thinks Piri. “The Russians got into a sort of stalemate over the winter, so tanks are needed for Ukraine.” But for a possible delivery of Leopard 2 tanks – presumably repaired in Germany – the German manufacturer has to give permission. Even if they are used by another country.
Problems
And our eastern neighbors have a hard time with this, it seems. “We see that in the German coalition the Greens are actually already saying that a license for deliveries must first be issued,” continues Piri. So that’s the least I expect going out tomorrow. There are ten countries in the EU that have Leopard II tanks, Poland and Finland, among others, actually want to send them to Ukraine.’
Poland has already threatened to hand over the tanks anyway, with or without permission, according to Piri. ‘So that permit will definitely come tomorrow, and I hope Germany will also be ready to supply the tanks. Let’s be honest: Ukraine will soon not need all kinds of tanks with as many different types of maintenance, different controls and different ammunition. We can deliver many of these tanks in the short term, which is why it is important that Germany agrees.”