German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declared that 14 Leopard 2 tanks will be sent to Ukraine to assist in repelling the Russian invasion.
This decision follows weeks of Scholz’s denial and increasing ally pressure.
The Leopard 2 tank is regarded as the world’s most efficient and effective tank.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the correct stance. Scholz stated, “Because we are dealing with highly effective weapon systems, it is imperative that we never provide them independently, but always in close cooperation.”
In the meantime, the White House is contemplating whether or not to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Shortly before the statement, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, stated that any western tanks delivered to Ukraine would “burn like the others.”
On the announcement of the tank deliveries, he added, “Once again, we are convinced that Germany, like its closest allies, is not interested in a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, but rather is intent on permanent escalation through the unrestricted supply of lethal arms to the Kiev regime.”
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) criticized the chancellor’s reluctance to approve tank delivery later in the day.
A survey published last week revealed that Germans are evenly divided on the subject. 46% of the population supported sending battle tanks to Ukraine, while 43% opposed it. The poll was conducted by infratest dimap.
The socialist Left Party, the smallest party in the Bundestag, is likewise opposed to the tank deliveries to Ukraine.
Dietmar Bartsch, the party’s co-leader, told the Bundestag on Wednesday, “The objective cannot be to win the Leopard battle.”
»Germany will contribute 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine’s struggle against Russia«