Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has directly requested tanks for Ukraine Russia war during a meeting with Western allies in southern Germany. The US and other European nations have already pledged to provide more weapons to Ukraine, but Zelensky stated that “hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks.” Germany faced pressure to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, but no commitment was made at the end of the meeting. Other countries, such as Poland and Finland, were also under pressure to provide Ukraine with Leopard tanks. However, German law requires permission from the government in Berlin before other countries can re-export the tanks. Despite this, Poland’s defense minister expressed hope that a coalition to support Ukraine would be successful. The meeting took place a day after several nations pledged to provide more equipment to help Ukraine fend off further Russian campaigns.
Boris Pistorius, Germany’s new defence minister, had earlier told reporters at Ramstein that no one could predict today when or how a decision about Leopard tanks will be made.
More than 50 defence professionals came together at the airbase on Friday, a day after numerous countries offered additional weaponry to support Ukraine in fending off further Russian attacks. They needed to “dig deeper,” according to Lloyd Austin, the US Defense Secretary.
Nearly 11 months into Russia’s war in Ukraine, military officials from NATO believe Moscow is preparing a fresh spring offensive with soldier numbers boosted by a partial mobilisation since the end of September. Western officials see a potential “window of opportunity” in the coming weeks for Ukraine to push Russian forces back. They say Moscow is running short of ammunition and trained troops – despite efforts to replenish stocks and mobilise additional forces.
For its part, Russia has warned of increasing Nato involvement, direct as well as indirect, in the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that sending tanks would not change the course of the conflict, but would “create more problems for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people”.
The UK has already declared that 14 Challenger 2 combat tanks will be sent. However, Kiev desires more tanks, and UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace expressed his hope that the 50 allies will “all get the message that unlocking the tank is part of 2023.”
In that equation, the German Leopard tanks are essential. They are used by more than a dozen different countries and are available in greater numbers than the British tank.
Mr. Zelensky criticised Germany’s reluctance to supply tanks prior to the Ramstein summit, assuring Berlin that the Leopards would only be employed for self-defense and would not travel through Russia. He told German public television, “If you have Leopard [tanks], then give them to us.”