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Czech Republic denies it will deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Photos/Illustrations
PRAGUE – Czech Republic do not mean to contribute tank Leopard 2 the Ukraine which he was to receive from Germany as compensation for delivering T-72 tanks to Kiev. This was disclosed by the Czech Ministry of Defense.
In a statement, the ministry denied media reports that the Czech Republic and neighboring Slovakia were willing to hand over their Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
“This information is wrong. No one has asked or invited the Czech Republic to provide tanks which, according to previous agreements, will be received from Germany as compensation for helping Ukraine,” the Czech Defense Ministry emphasized as quoted by Russia Today, Sunday (22/1/2023).
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The Czech Defense Ministry also noted that nothing of the kind was discussed during a summit at Ramstein Air Base in Germany last Friday. The meeting, which was attended by dozens of countries backing Kiev, discussed future military support for the country.
“Speculation that the Czech Republic will receive American Abrams tanks instead of Leopard tanks is also wrong,” he added.
On Friday, German newspaper FAZ reported, citing diplomatic sources, that the two Eastern European countries supported the idea of sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine. According to the outlet, deliveries could involve a total of 30 German-made tanks, with plans for delivery of two units per month.
Last month, Germany handed over the first batch of more than a dozen Leopards to the Czech Republic to replace the T-72 tanks that had been delivered to Ukraine. Prague has committed to helping Kiev with 90 of these Soviet-era tanks, with the help of the United States (US) and the Netherlands to upgrade them.
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In recent months, Ukraine has pressed its Western allies to provide more advanced weapons, including heavy weapons. While Poland and Britain vowed to send Western-made tanks to Kiev, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Friday that NATO countries had failed to reach an agreement on the delivery of the Leopard 2 tanks.
