The debate on tanks in Ukraine grows
German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks have become the focus of discussions about supporting Ukraine as pressure mounts on Germany to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons against Russia.
Ukraine has been awaiting delivery of Leopard 2 main battle tanks for months. Last week, at the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group meeting held at the US Ramstein airbase in Germany, which lasted more than 5 hours, the defense ministers were unable to resolve their differences over the delivery of advanced tanks to kyiv.
Finally, Poland transmitted its official request to Germany for the delivery of Leopard tanks to kyiv. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, in his post on his Twitter account, stated that the security of the whole of Europe is at stake.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that countries with Leopard tanks can start training Ukrainian soldiers. Pistorius shared the information that he expects the decision to be made as soon as possible on whether Germany will supply Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who met with Pistorius, also called for the rapid supply of new weapons to Ukraine, saying: “We need to provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine at this critical moment in the war, and We must do it faster.” Stoltenberg added that talks on supplying heavy tanks to Ukraine are continuing and he believes a solution can be found in a short time.
EXPLANATION OF THE KREMLIN
On the other hand, a remarkable statement came from Russia on the subject. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that if he sends a “Leopard” tank to Ukraine, relations with Germany will be negatively affected, saying: “Such a shipment does not bode well for the future of relations between Russia and Germany.” . Undoubtedly, this situation leaves an inevitable mark on the future of relationships.
European allies such as Poland and Finland had declared that they were ready to send these tanks to the Ukraine and awaited approval from Berlin. However, since Leopard tanks are produced in Germany, their use in other countries such as Ukraine is only possible with the approval of Germany. (AA)