Berlin (EFE).- Germany will deliver the “Leopard 2” tanks committed to Ukraine between the end of March and the beginning of April, its Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said today, after giving yesterday the chancellor Olaf Scholz the green light for these shipments and authorizing also his allies to supply them.
“I have no reason to think that it will be too late,” said Pistorius, who denied that an alleged indecision by his government had delayed the shipments of the tanks that kyiv claims for its defense.
Pistorius made these statements in what was his first visit to Bundeswehr (German army) troops since he took office a week ago and after the resignation of his predecessor, the also Social Democrat Christine Lambrecht, questioned mainly for her management regarding Ukraine.
“We have not hesitated: we have negotiated,” said the minister, in relation to the talks carried out by his Executive, at different levels, until reaching a consensus among the allies for the supplies of the “Leopard 2.”
Scholz repeatedly insisted before giving the green light to these shipments that they must be produced “in close consensus” with his allies, both European and transatlantic and especially with the United States.
Finally, yesterday, the chancellor announced that Germany will deliver a company of those 2A6 type battle tanks corresponding to its army, which means 14 units, in addition to authorizing the allies that have these armored vehicles, made in Germany, to join the shipments .
The purpose is to add two battalions – about 88 tanks – mainly among the European partners. Those from Germany will be joined by another 14 from Poland, plus an unspecified number of units from other countries that have expressed their willingness to participate in the shipments -such as the Netherlands, Spain, Norway and Finland-.
The United States also confirmed yesterday the shipment of 31 “Abrams”, while the United Kingdom had already announced its 14 “Challenger 2s”. France, until now, limited itself to “not ruling out” joining its “Leclerc”.
