The pressure was on Berlin for Germany to deliver Leopard tanks to Ukraine. It was reported from Warsaw. “The Leopard tank company will be handed over to the forming coalitionPolish President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday. Therefore, fourteen battle tanks could be supplied. The gesture and the number are still symbolic. The Polish government has not specified the terms of this shipment. But Ukraine’s staunchest supporters hope to build momentum. In order to supply these tanks manufactured by KMW to Ukraine, Poland will need the approval of the German government in accordance with the export rules. It may take a while.”wait a few weeks“Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson said on Wednesday, commenting on the possibility of supplying tanks to Ukraine. “We know what they need“, he explained.
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The Germans did not want to be the first to deliver battle tanks. Fears of a spiral and escalation are said in military circles, criticizing Berlin’s lack of patience. Kiev requires about 300 heavy tanks from the West to be able to carry out a counterattack against Russian forces. The face of war would change again.
Olaf Scholz’s government had not officially ratified the Polish decision on Wednesday evening. Diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries often go badly. Thus, at the end of last year, Berlin refused to transfer the Patriot defense system allocated to Poland to Ukraine in order to strengthen the defense of the eastern flank of Europe.
Leopard 2s have proven themselves
By announcing the delivery of AMX-10 RC light tanks last week, France wanted to contribute to this pressure on Berlin. The amount and terms of providing these materials are still to be discussed. It could be about forty tanks that have just been taken out of service to be replaced by new Jaguar vehicles. Then training of Ukrainian soldiers should take place. However, it was not planned to supply Leclerc tanks, which are considered too complicated to use.
On the other hand, the Leopard 2s have proven themselves. Designed in the late 1970s, it is a heavy battle tank that equips many European armies. Once the delivery door is open, the stockpile of material available will be large enough to support the Ukrainian effort. About 2,000 leopards are kept in Europe by Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Spain or Sweden. Ukraine also requested Abrams tanks from the USA. But Washington chose to promise fifty “Bradley” tanks. In turn, the United Kingdom called for the supply of Challenger 2 tanks, and Germany in turn called for the supply of the Marder. If these armored infantry vehicles allow the transport of troops, they are less powerfully armed than tanks.
The upcoming meeting of supporters of Ukraine in Ramstein, Germany is scheduled for January 20. It is in this forum that the Westerners discuss and coordinate their military assistance. There is an urgency to act for the forces of Vladimir Zelensky.
Source: Le Figaro
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