Poland’s prime minister said on Thursday he was “moderately pessimistic” about Germany giving other countries permission to re-export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
“I am moderately skeptical, moderately pessimistic because the Germans are defending themselves against this like a devil protects himself against holy water,” Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters. Ukraine is pushing for the Leopard battle tanks, which are held by an array of NATO nations but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Germany’s approval.
A German government source said Berlin would lift its objections if Washington sends its own Abrams tanks but U.S. officials have said they have no plans yet to send the Abrams, which run on powerful turbine engines seen as using too much fuel for Kyiv’s strained logistics system to supply at the front.
The U.S. and many Western allies say the Leopards are the only suitable option available in big enough numbers.
Meanwhile, former Austrian defence ministry official Gustav Gressel speculated that an enormous fear of a nuclear war is the reason why German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far blocked allies from sending its Leopard 2 tanks.
A senior NATO military commander said on Thursday that tanks were important for Ukraine to be a match for Russia. “I think in terms of matching what the enemy has it is important for the Ukrainians,” the head of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer said.
For more info, please go to
Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE:
Like Global News on Facebook HERE:
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE:
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE:
#GlobalNews #ukrainewar #germantanks
source
