Berlin [Germany], February 3: The German government has approved the delivery of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine and is negotiating the acquisition of 15 Gepard tanks from Qatar to send to Kyiv.
The SueddeutscheZeitung newspaper in Germany on February 3, citing government sources, said that the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine could take place at any time after the tanks are repaired.
Two military equipment manufacturers Rheinmetall and FlensburgerFahrzeugbauGesellschaft (FFG) want to refurbish dozens of Leopards 1 tanks and can supply them to Ukraine if Kyiv is willing to buy them.
The newspaper also reported that some German officials had discussed with the Qatar Foreign Ministry about the possibility of buying back 15 Gepard tanks that Doha purchased to protect stadiums during the 2022 World Cup. In addition, Berlin is also try to buy more ammunition from Qatar.
"Gepard tanks have shown very clearly their capabilities in the war in Ukraine. If we can get more from our partners here, it will certainly help the Ukrainian people," the new minister said. German defense minister Boris Pistorius was quoted by the newspaper.
The information comes after German officials announced on January 25 that they would supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow partner countries to re-export this weapon after months of debate. Germany's reluctance to bring these main battle tanks to the battlefield in Ukraine has become a matter of discord among NATO members .
Germany is wary of moves that could lead Russia to escalate the conflict, although Kyiv has repeatedly expressed frustration with Berlin's stance. Ukrainian officials say the German-made heavy tanks will give their forces the firepower and mobility they need to recapture Russian-controlled territories in the east and south.
In another development, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on February 2 that "no magic wand" can help Ukraine in its fight against Russia, when asked about Britain's ability to supply fighter jets. for Kyiv, Reuters reported. Wallace did not rule out the possibility of sending fighter jets to Ukraine, but said this is not what Ukraine needs right now and there are practical issues to consider, such as it will take months to train Ukrainian forces to use them. use them.
Also on February 2, the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns assessed that the next six months would be a "critical" period for Ukraine, according to Reuters. The forecast comes as Russian forces have achieved a number of victories on the ground in recent weeks. Mr. Burns also recently visited Ukraine and met with President VolodymyrZelensky.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper