However, the package puts Germany in trouble: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that he did not want to make the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine dependent on the simultaneous delivery of US main battle tanks to the country. But the dispute with Poland over delivery is coming to a head and could be decided today.
Poland does not want to wait any longer
Meanwhile, Poland does not rule out the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, even without the consent of Germany as a manufacturing country. Poland is ready for such non-standard action, Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski told private radio station RMF FM. When asked whether Poland would resist resistance from Germany, he replied: “I think that if there is strong resistance, we will be ready to take even non-standard measures… but let’s not prejudge the facts.”
In the debate over the delivery of tanks to Ukraine, the US government demonstratively supported Germany. When asked why Germany was reluctant to approve main battle tanks, National Security Council communications director John Kirby said on US television on Thursday night (local time): “The Germans understand a lot well what is at stake in Ukraine”.