Chancellor Olaf Scholz says in a press release that Germany will initially send 14 Leopards to Ukraine and will start training the soldiers soon.
12:56•Updated 14:14
Germany confirms it will send Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the matter to the German Bundestag on Wednesday.
– It is right that we also support Ukraine with arms aid. Germany is always at the forefront when it comes to helping Ukraine. We do it greatly. That is why we have decided to send armor to Ukraine as well. We have made all decisions in close cooperation with our allies, says Scholz.
– We have made all decisions in close cooperation with our allies.
Scholz insists that it is still important to avoid the escalation of the war.
According to Germany, the goal is to quickly assemble two battalions equipped with Leopard 2 tanks between different countries. Initially, Germany plans to send Ukraine 14 Leopards from the army’s stockpile.
Training of Ukrainian soldiers to use Leopards will begin soon. According to Scholz, the training is done in Germany. In addition, Germany plans to provide logistics and ammunition.
Permits for other countries as well
Germany plans to quickly issue permits to its partner countries that want to send German-made Leopards from their own warehouses.
At least Poland, Spain, Portugal, Norway and the Netherlands have announced their willingness to send Leopards to Ukraine. The battle tanks in question are also in Finland. Minister of Defense Mikko Savola (central) said after Germany’s decision that Finland is preparing to participate in the countries’ joint Leopard package together with the defense forces.
The decision was almost immediately praised by at least the Polish Prime Minister From Mateusz MorawieckiBritish Prime Minister From Rishi Sunak and the President of France From Emmanuel Macron.
Russian ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechaev in turn commented that the decision was “very dangerous” and escalated the war to a new level.
The story is updated.
Sources: Reuters, AFP, AP