Western defense officials are still working to reach an agreement on the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

VideoSecretary Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced $2.5 billion aid package for Ukraine and reiterated U.S. commitment to support Ukraine's fight against Russia at meeting with Western defense officials in Germany.CreditCredit...Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters
BERLIN - As time is running out for the expected announcement of the possible dispatch additional Western tanks in Ukraine, Kyiv allies' negotiators are still trying to reach a consensus.
Despite increasing pressure from many European allies, it was unclear whether Berlin would send some of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or allow other European nations to send their own supplies of German-made vehicles into battle.
Boris Pistorius, Germany's new defense minister, said during a break in negotiations at Ramstein air base in the afternoon that there was still no agreement on the sending the Leopard 2 main battle tank. He said he had ordered an audit of all Leopard main battle tanks available in Germany to be ready if a decision was made to send the country's own tanks to Ukraine.
He said such a move could potentially take between a day and weeks, but Germany wanted to be ready. "We would then be able to act immediately and provide the assistance in a very short time," he said.
"None of we can't say today when a decision will be made and what the decision will be," Pistorius said. He also said that "the impression that has sometimes been created that there is a united coalition and that the Germany is standing in the way is wrong".
Some have suggested that Berlin doesn't want to send any of its own Leopards unless the US agrees to send its own Leopards as well. M1 Abrams tanks, something the Biden administration has been reluctant to do.
="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Even if Germany does not send its own Leopards, there is another way: as the manufacturer of the tank, Germany could authorize the 12 other European nations which use them to give Kyiv. They could then be dispatched quickly, although Ukrainian crews would have to be trained in their use. Security analysts have argued for the transfer of Leopards to Ukraine to be shared across Europe, easing the burden on each country.
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World Jan 20, 2023 0 104 Add to Reading List

Western defense officials are still working to reach an agreement on the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

BERLIN - As time is running out for the expected announcement of the possible dispatch additional Western tanks in Ukraine, Kyiv allies' negotiators are still trying to reach a consensus.

Despite increasing pressure from many European allies, it was unclear whether Berlin would send some of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or allow other European nations to send their own supplies of German-made vehicles into battle.

Boris Pistorius, Germany's new defense minister, said during a break in negotiations at Ramstein air base in the afternoon that there was still no agreement on the sending the Leopard 2 main battle tank. He said he had ordered an audit of all Leopard main battle tanks available in Germany to be ready if a decision was made to send the country's own tanks to Ukraine.

He said such a move could potentially take between a day and weeks, but Germany wanted to be ready. "We would then be able to act immediately and provide the assistance in a very short time," he said.

"None of we can't say today when a decision will be made and what the decision will be," Pistorius said. He also said that "the impression that has sometimes been created that there is a united coalition and that the Germany is standing in the way is wrong".

Some have suggested that Berlin doesn't want to send any of its own Leopards unless the US agrees to send its own Leopards as well. M1 Abrams tanks, something the Biden administration has been reluctant to do.

="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Even if Germany does not send its own Leopards, there is another way: as the manufacturer of the tank, Germany could authorize the 12 other European nations which use them to give Kyiv. They could then be dispatched quickly, although Ukrainian crews would have to be trained in their use. Security analysts have argued for the transfer of Leopards to Ukraine to be shared across Europe, easing the burden on each country.

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