The Ukraine crisis

At the same time, he emphasizes that such a permit is not decisive for the country’s delivery of tanks to Ukraine. Instead, he emphasizes that Poland will build a coalition together with several other countries that will be responsible for the shipment.

– We will ask for such approval, but this is not the most important thing, Morawiecki said when he visited Poznan in western Poland on Monday.

The German-made Leopard 2 tank can be used more offensively than the military equipment Ukraine has so far received from Western countries. So far, Germany has therefore both refused to send such tanks directly to Ukraine and to give other countries permission to do so.

– Will not stand in the way

On Sunday, however, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that Germany will not stand in the way of a shipment from Poland, while pointing out that Poland has not formally requested this yet.

When asked about Baerbock’s statement, Morawiecki says that her words give a “glimpse of hope” and that Germany will possibly be able to participate in the coalition.

– We exert constant pressure on the government in Berlin to make the Leopard tanks available, said Morawiecki.

At the top of the wish list

He states that Germany has over 350 active Leopard tanks and around 200 in storage.

The Ukrainian government believes that tanks, and especially the Leopard model, are absolutely essential to being able to overcome Russian invasion forces.

Among other things, as a result of its aggressive role in the Second World War, Germany has been careful not to supply weapons to countries at war. But after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year, the country did a complete turnaround. However, delivering heavy and more offensive weapons is far from over.