The Finnish authorities are preparing the 12th package of military aid to Ukraine.
Finland can transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine if other European countries do it.
This was stated by the chairman of the Defense Committee, Antti Hakkianen, in an interview with the MTV Uutis TV channel. He noted that every European country should help Ukraine to some extent, but Finland’s own defense capability is the main thing.
“If Europe starts giving Ukraine more tanks, Finland should be involved in this. Of course, with our small contribution, because our own defense capability is always a priority for us as a country bordering Russia,” Hakkianen said.
Hakkianen added that many European countries have more opportunities to provide Ukraine with armored vehicles than Finland.
In turn, Finland’s Acting Defense Minister Mikko Savola announced on Twitter that the country is preparing the 12th package of military aid to Ukraine.
“Finland supports Ukraine. We are preparing the 12th aid package. The decision will be made in the coming weeks. The support package is being prepared together with the Defense Forces, given that we do not weaken our own defense capabilities,” he wrote.
Savola added that, for security reasons, Finland will not tell the public what kind of weapons Ukraine will receive.
Leopard tanks for Ukraine
At the beginning of June 2022, the Spanish media reported that the Spanish authorities are ready to transfer Leopard A4 tanks to Ukraine, which have been at the logistical supply base of the Spanish army in Zaragoza for ten years.
As the head of the British Foreign Ministry, James Cleverley, stated, the provision of tanks to Ukraine may well be part of the “next stage” of arms supply to Kyiv.
Earlier, the head of the defense committee of the German Bundestag called for the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible. According to her, the USA and Germany reached a positive decision for Kyiv on this issue.
The Bundestag is putting pressure on Olaf Scholz, who is hesitating whether to transfer tanks to Ukraine.
