Ukraine’s foreign minister still said that he is confident that Germany will also supply Leopard main battle tanks. Kharkiv was attacked by Russia soon after the German guest left.
11:45•Updated 11:47
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock made a surprise visit to Kharkiv on Tuesday. His list of aid provided by Germany was long.
– We will deliver more generators to support Ukraine’s infrastructure, said Baerbock and added that Germany is assisting demining and network connections with a total of 40 million euros.
However, from Ukraine’s point of view, more important are the weapons, and especially the German-made Leopard main battle tanks.
The foreign minister of Ukraine has also demanded them in the past Dmytro Kuleba.
Kuleba, who was on the trip to Kharkiv, was already confident:
– I am convinced that Ukraine will receive German Leopard armor, said Kuleba.
– The German government knows deep down that they are necessary.
Baerbock did not mention Leopard armor
However, Baerbock did not mention Ukraine’s number one target, the powerful Leopard armor.
He recalled that Germany had increased its arms aid during the war and mentioned howitzers, anti-aircraft armament and Gepard tanks. Most recently, Germany promised to supply Marder armor to Ukraine.
– We continue this process with our partners, said Baerbock in Kharkiv.
Poland rushes armor aid
Both France and Poland are pressuring Germany to supply battle tanks to Ukraine, says Politico online magazine. (you switch to another service)
Polish Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński suggested that the Western countries could jointly hand over Leopard armor to Ukraine.
German-made armor is in use in several European countries. Handing them over to Ukraine requires a German re-export permit.
Leopard armor is also in use in Finland. According to ‘s sources, Finland has not made any decisions regarding the transfer of tanks.
Russia struck after the visit to Kharkiv
The German foreign minister, who made a surprise visit to Kharkiv near the Russian border, was so far the most high-ranking guest who ventured to the city of a million people, which has been the target of heavy Russian attacks.
Baerbock walked among the ruins of the Saltivka apartment buildings without protective equipment, and distributed gifts to the patients of the children’s hospital.
After the departure of the foreign ministers, the governor of the region Oleh Synjehubov announced that Russia had attacked the city, and urged residents to stay safe in Kharkiv and its surroundings.
A reporter from the AFP news agency also reported on the explosions in Kharkiv.