Allies with tanks should send them to Ukraine now, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday, as German NATO partners try to prepare heavy military equipment for shipment to Ukraine as soon as possible.
“Those who can send tanks really have to do it now,” Scholz told the Munich Security Conference, adding that he would “campaign intensely” for the Allies to move forward on this issue.
Scholz’s call marked a dramatic reversal of roles, as previously it was the Allies who had pressured Germany to approve the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine. In January, Germany finally relented, declaring that it would send 14 tanks to help form two Ukrainian tank battalions with the Allies.
But during subsequent negotiations with NATO partners, it was not possible to agree on the number of more modern tanks of the Leopard 2 A6 model. On Wednesday, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged that the Allies had so far mustered only a “half battalion” of Leopard 2 A6 tanks, including 14 from Germany and three from Portugal. . Another battalion is armed with tanks of the old Leopard 2 A4 model – here Poland will make the main contribution.
Speaking at a conference in Munich, Scholz said Germany “will do its part to help our partners make this decision, for example by training Ukrainian soldiers here in Germany or supporting them with logistics and supplies.” .
Negotiations are ongoing with the Netherlands, but Berlin opposes sending 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from Amsterdam, as it will “weaken the operational readiness” of the combined German-Dutch brigade where they are. used.
