Germany faced mounting pressure to supply battle tanks to Kyiv and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aired frustration about not obtaining enough weaponry as Western allies conferred Thursday.
Just hours into his tenure, Germany’s new defense minister, Boris Pistorius, welcomed US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Berlin, reports AP.
Boris declared that German weapons systems delivered so far have proven their worth and that, “We will continue in the future, together with our partners, to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom, territorial independence and sovereignty.”
He didn’t, however, mention the Leopard 2 tanks that Ukraine has long sought. Since the United Kingdom announced last week that it will send Challenger 2 tanks, Berlin has faced increasing pressure to supply battle tanks or at least clear the way for others — such as Poland — to deliver German-made Leopards from their own stock.
Austin is to host a regular coordination meeting of top defense officials from Ukraine’s Western allies at the United States’ Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
