Germany’s decision to provide Leopard 2 tanks to assist in its fight against Russia’s invasion has been welcomed by Ukraine as a “first step.”
The statement, which came after weeks of resistance in Berlin and external pressure, was lauded by allies as the “correct move.”
The “very risky” action, according to Russia, would intensify the conflict and cause the tanks to “burn.”
According to Ukraine, it needs powerful weaponry to retake territories from Russia.
Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, asked Germans who were concerned about the decision to trust him and insisted that it was the right thing to support Ukraine.
The chancellor told members of the Bundestag that it was “right that we didn’t just be swept up” in response to Berlin’s prior hesitation to send tanks.
Germany will provide 14 of the vehicles as a “starting step,” according to Mr. Scholz, but its ultimate goal is to create two battalions of the vehicles for Ukraine.
Additionally, Germany permitted other nations, such as Poland, to transfer their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine’s front line, which was previously prohibited by export laws.
The administration of US Vice President Joe Biden is also anticipated to make plans on Wednesday to deliver at least 30 M1 Abrams tanks.
In recent weeks, there have been rumors that the US’s intention to send tanks was a prerequisite for the German chancellor’s decision to send them.
The potential deliveries of battle tanks, according to the Russian ambassador in Washington, are “yet another brazen provocation.”
The Abrams combat tanks will “burn like all the rest,” the Kremlin claimed earlier on Wednesday, dismissing the anticipated supplies as “simply very expensive.”
Although Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky would consider the purchase of tanks from the West to be a diplomatic victory, he stated in his address on Tuesday night that his nation will require even more tanks than have been pledged thus far.
He thinks that in order to destroy Russia, his nation needs at least 300 battle tanks.
NATO and other European allies of Germany have praised the choice. According to Rishi Sunak, the British prime minister, it will “increase Ukraine’s defense might.”
Mateusz Morawiecki, the prime minister of Poland, congratulated Germany and hailed the move as “a huge step towards halting Russia.”
In addition to supplying Leopard tanks, Mr. Morawiecki said on Tuesday that his government will soon be sending 50 to 60 additional older Soviet-era tanks to Ukraine.
The decision by Germany, according to the secretary general of Nato, came at a “critical point in Russia’s fight” and will “assist Ukraine to defend itself, win, and prevail as an independent nation.”
The sending of tanks to Ukraine has been confirmed by Germany.
German foreign minister: We won’t stop tank shipments.
The German defense minister was referred to as “a moron” by presenter Vladimir Solovyov on Russian state television on Tuesday night.
He declared that the appearance of German tanks in Ukraine would cause us to legitimately target German land, military installations, and other locations.
Although Russia opted to invade Ukraine, the Kremlin’s narrative portrays the West as the aggressor, according to Steve Rosenberg, the Russia Editor for the BBC.
Russian officials inform their citizens that NATO is at war with Russia in Ukraine, led by the United States.
This story will be supported by Germany’s plan to send tanks to Ukraine.