loading…
Rejected by Germany, Ukraine will get Leopard tank assistance from Poland. Photo/KMW
KIEV – Poland ready to send the Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of a coalition. This was announced directly by Polish President Andrzej Duda after meeting with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Kiev has requested heavy military vehicles such as the German-made Leopard 2 tank, a tank that Ukraine says is essential for the ground battle in the Donbas region.
In a joint press conference after the meeting of the heads of state of the Lublin Triangle regional forum, Duda said Warsaw was willing to deliver the Leopard tanks within the framework of the international coalition.
“We made the decision to transfer such support to Ukraine from Poland. A company of Leopard tanks will be provided as part of the coalition,” Duda said.
Read: After Bradley, the US considers sending Ranpur Stryker to Ukraine
“It is necessary to get official approval and build an international coalition. We decided to form the first Leopard Group, together with other types of tanks, it is hoped that it will soon be provided by other countries to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.”
Zelensky praised the move but said he expected a “joint decision” involving other countries willing to send Leopard advanced battle tanks.
“One country alone cannot help us,” he said.
“I think today there will be positive (decisions) from other countries to supply us with modern Western-style tanks,” Zelensky added, without naming the country.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Nauseda said Lithuania would transfer air defense systems and anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine.
