Berlin: Germany's defence minister Boris Pistorius said allies can start training Ukrainian forces to use Leopard tanks. He indicated that a decision will be taken soon and revealed that he had "expressly encouraged partner countries with ready-to-deploy tanks to train Kyiv's forces."
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also said that a decision regarding the delivery of tanks will be taken soon. He had earlier said Berlin is not opposed to delivering Leopard tanks but simply hasn't made a decision yet. "We are supporting Ukraine not to lose this war, to win it against Russia. And to that end, Germany is doing more than practically any other ally except the US."
Berlin has been declining to permit the export of powerful German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine which could turn the tides in Kyiv's favour. The European nation has been under intense international pressure to make the move.
Pistorius also disclosed that he had a meeting with Stoltenberg and said a decision is expected to be made shortly. Stoltenberg welcomed the "clear message" from the minister. He said it will take some time to get the tanks ready after the decision is made. "We must provide heavier and more advanced systems to Ukraine, and we must do it faster," said the NATO official.
Stoltenberg further said that NATO sees no indication that Russia has shown no signs of changing its goals. "The only way to lasting peace is to make it clear to Putin that he will not win on the battlefield."