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Germany’s offer of 14 Leopard tanks has prompted calls for more heavy armour by Ukraine’s government as it formally announced its forces’ retreat from the eastern town of Soledar after nine months of bloody battle.
While Kyiv lauded the decision from Berlin, along with reports the US was preparing to send its own Abrams tanks, aides to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, continued to push for further arms pledges from the west.
That appeal was expected to be partially satisfied as Berlin’s decision potentially unlocks offers made by Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland and Norway to provide Ukraine with their own German-manufactured Leopard 2A6 machines.
Germany said it was yet to receive any requests with the exception of Poland for authorisation for the re-export of Leopard 2 tanks but added that others would probably make announcements about their plans in the “coming hours and days”.
In response to Berlin’s decision, Zelenskiy said he had spoken to the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and was “sincerely grateful to the chancellor and all our friends”.
“German-main battle tanks, further broadening of defence support and training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons,” he tweeted. “Just heard about these important and timely decisions in a call with Olaf Scholz. Sincerely grateful to the chancellor and all our friends in Germany.”
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said: “So the tank coalition is formed.
