Polish PM welcomes German decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine

The Polish prime minister has welcomed Germany's decision to send some of its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine to help fight Russia's invasion.

Mateusz Morawiecki

PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Germany announced on Wednesday it would deliver a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks “as a first step" in allied efforts to quickly provide Ukraine with two tank battalions.

Germany endorses decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, approves re-exports https://t.co/jtcKrXI7UA #stoprussia #StopRussianWar #StopRussianAggression

— Ukrinform-EN (@Ukrinform_News) January 25, 2023

The first Leopard 2 tanks may arrive in #Ukraine from #Germany in about three months, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

The training of the Ukrainian military will begin soon, which will speed up the transfer of the vehicles. pic.twitter.com/HoeKHKskEI

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) January 25, 2023

'Big step towards stopping Russia'

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a tweet thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the move.

"The decision to send Leopards to Ukraine is a big step towards stopping Russia," Morawiecki said.

"Together we are stronger," he added.

Thank you @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz. The decision to send Leopards to Ukraine is a big step towards stopping Russia. Together we are stronger.

— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) January 25, 2023

Germany confirmed on Wednesday it would give permission to other countries, such as Poland, Spain, Finland and Norway, to send their own German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine. 

⚡️Bloomberg: Scholz confirms delivery of 14 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, green light for other nations to deliver. pic.twitter.com/7u8oGpsvpg

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) January 25, 2023

Poland has pledged to provide Ukraine with a company of 14 Leopard tanks, news agencies reported.

Wednesday is day 336 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters