The President of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky, stated on Thursday that there is already a coalition of 12 countries on sending tanks to kyiv and reiterated that Russian aggression can only be stopped “with the right weapons.”
The Ukrainian president thanked Canada which has announced the shipment of four Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. “Only weapons neutralize terrorists. Y I am grateful to all those who really oppose terror together with us”, he added, as reported by the news agency UNIAN.
He also referred to the latest attacks on Ukrainian soil, which confirm, according to Zelensky, what was discussed with the partners both yesterday and the other days since the beginning of the “diplomatic marathon”.
“Today there were rocket impacts. Unfortunately, there are wounded and there are dead. My condolences to all family and friends.” Zelensky indicated before the different attacks that have resulted in at least eleven deaths in various regions of the country.
The Pentagon explained this Thursday that it decided to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, “despite the maintenance challenges” they entail, to demonstrate their “long-term” commitment with its allies.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden announced the sending of 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, after Germany reported the supply to kyiv of Leopard battle tankslike other allies.
US Defense Department Assistant Secretary for Press Sabrina Singh pointed out that the US currently does not have enough Abrams tanks in its inventory so that is why it will take “months” to ship newly manufactured main battle tanks to Ukraine.
Germany will deliver the committed “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine between the end of March and the beginning of Aprilaffirmed the German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, after giving yesterday the chancellor Olaf Scholz the green light to these shipments and also authorizing his allies to supply them.
“I have no reason to think that it will be too late,” said Pistorius, who denied that an alleged indecision by his government had delayed the shipments of these tanks that kyiv claims for its defense.
Pistorius made these statements in what was his first visit to Bundeswehr (German army) troops since he took office a week ago and after the resignation of his predecessor, the also Social Democrat Christine Lambrecht, questioned mainly for her management regarding Ukraine.
“We have not hesitated: we have negotiated”, affirmed the minister, in relation to the talks carried out by his Executive, at different levels, until reaching a consensus among the allies for the supplies of the “Leopard 2”.
Scholz repeatedly insisted before giving the green light to these shipments that they had to be produced “in close consensus” with its allies, both European and transatlantic and especially with the United States.
Finally, yesterday, the chancellor announced that Germany will deliver a company of those 2A6 type battle tanks corresponding to its army, which means 14 units, in addition to authorizing the allies that have these armored vehicles, made in Germany, to join the shipments .
The purpose is to add two battalions – about 88 tanks – mainly among the European partners. Those from Germany will be joined by another 14 from Poland, plus an unspecified number of units from other countries that have expressed their willingness to participate in the shipments -such as the Netherlands, Spain, Norway and Finland-.
The UK had already announced the shipment of its 14 “Challenger 2s”. France, until now, limited itself to “not ruling out” uniting with its “Leclerc”.
(With information from Europa Press and EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com