The long-awaited decision came after U.S. officials said Tuesday that a preliminary agreement had been struck for the United States to send M1 Abrams tanks to help Ukraine’s troops
By FRANK JORDANS and KIRSTEN GRIESHABER
“German main battle tanks, further broadening of defense support and training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons. Just heard about these important and timely decisions in a call with Olaf Scholz,” Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. “Sincerely grateful to the chancellor and all our friends in .”
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Germany’s decision. “At a critical moment in Russia’s war, these can help Ukraine to defend itself, win and prevail as an independent nation,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter. Scholz had insisted that any decision to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be taken in conjunction with Germany’s allies, chiefly the United States. By getting Washington to commit some of its own tanks, Berlin hopes to share the risk of any backlash from Russia.
“This is an important game change, possibly also for this war, at least in the current phase,” he said. “Simply because of technological aspects, this is a rather disastrous plan. The main thing is, this is a completely obvious overestimation of the potential would add to the armed forces of Ukraine. It is yet another fallacy, a rather profound one,” the Kremlin official said.
“Trust me, trust the government,” he said. “By acting in an internationally coordinated manner, we will ensure that this support is possible without the risks to our country growing in the wrong direction.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Germany approves Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine as White House plans to send Abrams tanksGermany confirms it will send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as the Biden administration mulls whether to send its coveted M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Read more »
After US offer, Germany unleashes Leopard tanks for UkraineThe German government has confirmed it will provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks and approve requests by other countries to do the same.
Read more »
After U.S. offer, Germany unleashes Leopard tanks for UkraineAfter weeks of hesitation that saw growing impatience among Germany's allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday that his government would provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks and approve requests by other countries to do the same.
Read more »
Latest on Ukraine: Waiting for Germany's Leopard tanks (Jan. 23)Catch up on key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Read more »
A look at Leopard 2 tanks that could soon be sent to UkraineGENEVA (AP) — Following intense pressure from its allies, Germany appears to be inching toward approving deliveries of high-tech Leopard 2 main battle tanks that Ukraine and its biggest Western backers hope will boost Kyiv’s fight against Russian invaders.
Read more »