Russia’s war against Ukraine – all developments

the Federal government will in the coming week according to the Bloomberg news agency Make a decision on sending Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine. It is still unclear whether the federal government will only allow other alliance partners to deliver Leopard tanks, or whether Germany itself will also deliver these combat vehicles, the agency reported, citing people familiar with the matter. It is also unclear whether it is just the Leopard 2 or also its predecessor, the Leopard 1.

Two people familiar with the government’s deliberations said Germany would likely vote in favor of the delivery as European allies discussed how to help the government in Kyiv if fighting intensified in the spring. Demands for the provision of weapons with which Kyiv can recapture lost territory have recently become louder.

Berlin will make the decision before a meeting of senior defense officials from allied nations at the US Air Force Base in Ramstein on January 20, Bloomberg reported, citing a government official who is said to be familiar with the plans and asked not to be named. Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht will receive her US colleague Lloyd Austin in Berlin the day before.

At the meeting in Ramstein, Lambrecht will make a clear announcement about the Leopard tanks, the person said. Britain is ready to send Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine as part of a joint deal with other allies, it was also said.

Lambrecht made it clear on Friday that no decision had yet been made on the matter within the federal government. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens), on the other hand, had declared that the federal government should not stand in the way if other countries wanted to lead the way in supplying battle tanks.


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