Such tanks are available in many European countries in large numbers.Ĭhancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrat party is traditionally sceptical of military involvements and wary of sudden moves that could cause Moscow to further escalate.īut in an apparent shift in Germany’s position, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said her government would not block Poland if it were to send its Leopard 2 tanks without German approval. Leopard tanks, which are held by an array of NATO countries but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlin’s approval, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable for Ukraine.

Western allies on Friday (20 January)dampened Ukraine’s hopes for a rapid shipment of battle tanks to boost its firepower for a spring offensive against Russian forces, with the United States urging Kyiv to hold off from mounting such an operation. Ramstein meet offers more weapons to Ukraine, but no decisions made on tanks

No decision on supplying Leopards was reached during a meeting of the Western allies in the Ramstein air base in Germany on Friday, although pledges were given for large amounts of other weapons, including air defence systems and other tank models. Ukrainian officials have been calling on Western allies to supply them with the modern German-made Leopard tanks for months but Germany has held back from sending them or allowing other NATO countries to do so.

Reuters was not able to independently verify battlefield accounts. Russia’s defence ministry said for the second straight day on Sunday (22 January) that its forces were improving their positions in Ukraine’s southern region of Zaporizhzhia, though a Ukrainian military spokesperson told the state broadcaster the situation there was “difficult” but stable. Germany would not stand in the way if Poland wants to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Germany’s foreign minister said, signalling a possible breakthrough for Ukraine as it tries to bolster its forces ahead of an expected new Russian offensive.Įleven months after Russia invaded its southern neighbour, the fighting is centred on the town of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s east, where Russia’s Wagner mercenaries and Ukrainian forces have been locked in a battle of attrition.

Modern german tanks