Germany won’t block export of its Leopard 2 tanks; German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock said she “doesn’t stand in the way” of Poland sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Ukraine has called on the West to supply German tanks, which it says will help defeat Russia.
However, Germany has yet to ship the armored vehicles, and its export laws prevent other countries from sending theirs.
Baerbock said on Sunday that Poland has not yet applied for an export permit.
“At the moment they haven’t asked the question. But if they ask us, we wouldn’t stand in the way,” he told France’s LCI TV on Sunday.
Last week, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said. The country was ready to deliver 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev if Berlin would allow them.
Marcin Przydacz, the Polish president’s foreign affairs adviser. Said on Monday that he welcomed the announcement but preferred to hear Germany’s position from Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“It turned out that through dialogue and diplomatic action, Poland can change the German attitude,” Przydacz told Polish radio.
Germany won’t block export of its Leopard 2 tanks; But Warsaw eventually wants Berlin’s NATO allies to send their own Leopards as well. Because officials acknowledge that 14 tanks will have a limited impact on Ukraine’s Combat Capabilities.
The Leopard 2 Tanks Were Specifically Designed;
The Leopard 2 tanks were specifically designed to compete with the Russian T-90 tanks used during the invasion.
There are more than 2,000 worldwide, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. That about 300 of them would help ensure Russia’s defeat.
Many allies are frustrated with Germany’s refusal to send its own Leopard 2 tanks.
Under current regulations, Germany must also punish the re-export of its tanks from other countries, such as Poland.
After Friday’s meeting of more than 50 allies. Germany has yet to commit to delivering the tanks or issuing export licenses. But he refused to unilaterally block the export of tanks.
In their joint statement on Saturday, the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia. Lithuania called on Germany to “give Leopard tanks to Ukraine now”.
Why are Leopard tanks so in demand?
The Leopard 2 tank is a world-class weapon used by more than a dozen countries.
Ukraine sees the tanks as another important part of its defense against Russian forces. The Leopards are fighting in Afghanistan and Syria.
What makes them particularly attractive to Kyiv is that nearly two-thirds of all leopards produced are still in Europe. So physically, Leopards are relatively easy to engage in combat. It also facilitates maintenance and repair – critical aspects of any weapon system.
In all this, it is worth remembering that Germany supplies Ukraine with vital air defense systems. Such as IRIS-T and Patriot Surface-to-air Missiles, as well as armored personnel carriers.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is traditionally skeptical of German involvement in a military conflict. Worries about provoking escalation from Russia.
The chancellor met French President Emmanuel Macron at the weekend to reiterate the two countries’ post-war alliance.
France has already committed to sending light tanks to Ukraine, and Macron has suggested. That France’s Leclerc heavy tanks be sent to Ukraine as well.
Other countries have committed to sending tanks, including the United Kingdom, which will send 14 Challenger 2s.
