The head of the Russian delegation at the talks in Vienna, Konstantin Gavrilov, said today, Friday, that “Kyiv’s use of uranium bombs from Leopard-2 tanks will be considered as the use of dirty nuclear bombs.”
The Russian official’s statements came after Germany announced this morning that it would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, thereby overcoming its reluctance to send heavy weapons that Kyiv sees as necessary to defeat Russia, amid Kyiv’s welcome, which it considered “first step.”
14 Leopard tanks
“This decision complements our well-known support for Ukraine as much as possible. We act in close coordination at the international level,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
He added that Ukrainian forces would be trained in Germany, while Berlin would also provide logistical supplies and ammunition, and that his country would provide Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its army stocks.
“The decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine was made after extensive consultations with the allies,” Germany said in a statement.
Ukrainian reception
In turn, the German Defense Minister said that Leopard tanks would not be used in Ukraine 3-4 months ago, pointing out that his country “would not become a participant in the war and take care of it.”
The Ukrainian presidency welcomed Berlin’s agreement to supply 14 Leopard tanks, which it considered a “first step”, and called on Western countries to provide it with more weapons to repel the Russian army.
Berlin to supply Leopard tanks to Kyiv
“The first step has been taken,” Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential administration, said on Telegram, demanding that the international “coalition” supply heavy tanks to Kyiv. “We need a large number of Leopard tanks,” he added.
For his part, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in his first comment on Germany’s decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, said that “the decision was made correctly.”
While the Polish prime minister has confirmed that Germany has sent Leopard tanks to Ukraine, this is a big move to stop Russia.
For its part, the French presidency welcomed Germany’s decision, noting that it encouraged its plans to send AMX10-RC tanks.
In this regard, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands said that his country could buy tanks leased from Germany for shipment to Ukraine, and Finland also confirmed its readiness to do the same.
months of discussion
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after several months of negotiations, decided to supply Ukraine with Leopard-2 battle tanks.
Sources told a German news agency yesterday that Schultz had agreed to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, noting that he had given permission for the Leopard tanks to be re-exported to Kyiv.
For its part, the newspaper Der Spiegel reported that we are talking about at least one group of Leopard-2A6 tanks and the desire of other allies, including the Scandinavian countries, to supply these battle tanks to Kyiv.
Norway is considering sending tanks
Meanwhile, according to press reports, Norway is considering sending Ukraine 8 Leopard tanks out of 36 it has.
According to the publication, Leopard-2 tanks from the warehouses of the German armed forces will be sent to Ukraine in the medium and long term, and other battle tanks from the German military reserve can be equipped for use in this area.
This German decision was preceded by extensive consultations, primarily with Washington, as the German Chancellor had previously confirmed that he intended to provide Kyiv with tanks only in agreement with other countries, such as the United States.
