For months now, Ukraine has been demanding the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Berlin. Kyiv, therefore, expected a lot from the meeting that took place this Friday between the allies in Ramstein, Germany. In fact, the purpose of this was clear: to decide on additional military aid to Kyiv. The hope was short-lived. At the end of this meeting, it was the new German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, who spoke about the conclusions. The issue of handing over weapons “was discussed” among Ukraine’s allies, however “no decision has been made” he said at a press conference.
“We cannot say today when (a decision will be made) and what the decision will be on the Leopard tanks”he said “We don’t doubt it, we just weigh the pros and cons… We have the responsibility to think carefully about the consequences for all parties to the conflict”, justified Boris Pistorius. The minister said that the“print” that only Germany opposes the delivery of tanks to Kyiv is “false”.
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At the opening of the meeting on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zekensky urged the West to speed up deliveries of heavy weapons. In particular, tanks and long-range missiles, to support your country in the crucial battles to come. “It’s Your Power” of “Releasing a major supply that will stop the evil”he said via video link.
“Opinions are not so uniform”
“Many allies share the opinion” of Berlin, assured the minister, taking into account that “There are good reasons to be in favor and good reasons to be against these deliveries”. “It was quite clear that the reviews are not as uniform as the impression given so far”added Boris Pistorius to AFP, after the press conference.
Germany is under increasing pressure to approve this delivery of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. And for good reason, Poland and Finland have indicated that they are willing to supply such tanks to the Ukrainian military. But for this, the two countries need an agreement from Germany, which manufactured the armored vehicles. As other nations practice for their defense industry, a re-export or donation of German-made weaponry is conditional on Berlin’s approval.
Experts say modern heavy tanks of Western design would be a crucial advantage for Kyiv in the looming battles in eastern Ukraine, where Russia is back on the offensive after suffering major setbacks this winter.
Source : Le JDD
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