Britain will join Poland and the Baltic states in pressuring Berlin to agree to the re-export of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace will join colleagues from Poland and the Baltic states to persuade Germany to allow Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine.
The meeting of the so-called “leopard coalition” of countries that favor sending tanks to Ukraine will take place in Estonia a day before a group of about 50 defense ministers will meet in Ramstein, Germany, to discuss future arms deliveries to Ukraine. The Guardian writes about it.
Sources in the British Ministry of Defense said that at the meeting in Ramstein they will try to “incite the Germans” if Berlin does not make a decision on its own before that.
Leopard tanks for Ukraine
More than 2,300 Leopard 2 tanks are available or in storage in 13 European countries, including Germany, and if a group of countries donates some of their tanks, it could create a significant force on the battlefield. Berlin’s permission is required to re-export the tanks, as they were manufactured in Germany.
German government spokeswoman Christiane Hofmann reported on January 14 that Germany allegedly did not receive an official request to send tanks to Ukraine. According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany is currently discussing with its allies the possible delivery of Leopard heavy tanks to Ukraine. He emphasized that before announcing military aid, it is necessary to agree on this issue with other countries.
Despite this, Poland has already declared its readiness to supply a “company” of German-made tanks, but is still waiting for approval from Germany. Finland is also ready to transfer tanks to Ukraine.
The supply of Leopard-2 to Ukraine will be a priority for the new German defense minister. Boris Pistorius can become him. His predecessor, Kristina Lambrecht, resigned amid criticism of Germany’s position on the supply of Leopard-2 tanks to Kyiv.
The Office of the President of Ukraine is convinced that Leopard-2 tanks can be handed over to Ukraine based on the results of the Ramstein-8 meeting.
