Der Spiegel: Germany to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made the decision to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. According to Der Spiegel, at least one tank company (12-14) Leopard 2A6 tanks will be sent to Kyiv.

The newspaper notes that these tanks will be delivered straight out of Bundeswehr warehouses. Other combat tanks from industrial stockpiles can be prepared for use in the future.

Moreover, media reports suggest that Berlin will greenlight supplies of these tanks from third countries to Ukraine. Bloomberg also reported earlier that Scholz was expected to agree to transfer the German tanks to Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal wrote today that the US was considering supplying “a significant number” of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine. According to the newspaper, the news can emerge already this week.

Earlier today, Poland officially requested permission from Germany to send Leopards to Ukraine. Germany manufactures these tanks and its agreement is necessary to supply it to any other country.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on 23 January said that Germany would not oppose supplies of Leopard 2 tanks from third countries to Ukraine. Moreover, French President Emmanuel Macron noted that Paris was considering supplying Leclerc combat tanks to Kyiv.

On 21 January, Der Spiegel reported citing German Defence Ministry sources that the agency had already drafted a list of Leopard tanks which could be sent to Ukraine. The journalists said 19 Leopard 2A5 tanks could possibly be supplied to Kyiv. Moreover, the Baltic States called on Germany to urgently send Leopards to Ukraine.