Germany will send at least one company of Leopard 2A6 tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. This was decided by the German government. The deliveries are expected to be officially announced this week. The information is from the German magazine “Spiegel”, quoted by BGNES.
According to German media, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to allow other countries such as Poland to do this, Spiegel also reported. Other allies, for example in Scandinavia, intend to join Germany and supply their own Leopard tanks to Kyiv, the publication reports.
Germany changed its position on tanks for Ukraine
Tanks have already started arriving from Bundeswehr warehouses. It is possible that other German battle tanks will be prepared for transport in the medium and long term.
According to Spiegel, the German government’s decision was apparently preceded by intensive consultations between the FRG and other Ukrainian allies. They lasted several days. According to information, negotiations were held, including with the US.
On January 18, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation. Scholz has said he would agree to hand over tanks to Ukraine if the US began supplying M1 Abrams.
At the same time, Norway can transfer up to 8 of the 36 German Leopard tanks to Ukraine, reports Dagens Nringsliv. According to the publication, the Norwegian government also plans to negotiate the purchase of new tanks.
On January 23, a meeting of the extended composition of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense was held in Norway. It was devoted to military aid to Ukraine. The meeting was organized a day after the German Foreign Ministry said Germany would not ban the re-export of Leopard 2 tanks.
Wall Street Journal and Reuters: US considering sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine
Poland, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark announced their readiness to supply Ukraine with “Leopard”. Germany initially refused to supply Ukraine with Leopard until the US sent Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Today, the Wall Street Journal and Sky News Arabia cited Pentagon and White House sources as saying the US administration is willing to send Ukraine anywhere from ten to a “significant number” of M1 Abrams tanks.
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