Germany should not interfere with the military support provided to Ukraine by other countriesVice-Chancellor Robert Habek said in response to a journalist’s question about Poland’s intention to hand over German Leopard tanks to Ukraine, reports the BBC’s Russian service.
A day ago, during a visit to Lviv, Polish President Andrzej Duda announced Warsaw’s plans to transfer 14 German Leopard tanks“who are in service in the Polish army, within the framework of the international coalition for the needs of the armed forces of Ukraine.
According to the terms of delivery of tanks, their transfer or resale to third parties is impossible without prior approval from Berlin. That is why Kyiv made significant diplomatic efforts to convince the German leadership to approve this type of military aid.
On Thursday, a question about the Polish initiative was put directly to the German vice chancellor, who replied that sees no problem in transferring the tanks to Kyiv.
“Germany should not interfere with other countries making decisions in support of Ukraine,” said Robert Habeck. “Regardless of what decisions Germany itself makes.”
German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht later stated that Berlin will try to transfer the promised Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine before the end of the first quarter of this year.
“We will ensure that 40 Marder machines and Ukrainian military personnel prepared for their use will be sent to Ukraine by the end of the first quartershe said at a press conference on Thursday.
As for the possibility of transferring Leopard heavy tanks to Ukraine, according to Lambrecht the German government has not yet made a decision on this matter. The minister again stated that Germany does not intend to take unilateral steps in the supply of weapons to Kyiv.
In recent months, the Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly turned to Germany with a request for the delivery of Leopard tanks, which, according to Kyiv, could have a significant impact on the course of military operations. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, however, said that on this matter Berlin would act only in coordination with its allies, with the United States in mind in the first place.
So far, no country has supplied Western-made tanks to Ukraine. On Wednesday, it became known that Poland is ready to transfer to Ukraine the Leopard tanks that are in service with the Polish army. While London announces plans to transfer Challenger tanksand BWashington announced readiness to send Bradley infantry fighting vehicles
