Poland requests Germany’s approval to export tanks

• Poland has formally asked Germany for authorization to export a number of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
• The request to export 14 tanks made in Germany was received on Tuesday.
• The German ministry informed the news.

In a move that puts pressure on Berlin, Poland has formally asked Germany for authorization to export a number of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

The request to export 14 tanks made in Germany was received on Tuesday, the German ministry informed the news.

But it has demanded that Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, makes the final call. The tanks are essential in Ukraine’s eyes for getting past Russian defenses and defeating a potential counteroffensive.

The Russian T-90 tanks that are being utilized in the invasion were targeted for competition by the Leopard 2 tanks.

However, export restrictions dictate that any nation wishing to deliver the tanks must first obtain Berlin’s approval.

Masteusz Morawiecki, the prime minister of Poland, expressed his hope that Germany will reply to the request right away and criticized Germany for “delaying, avoiding, and acting in a way that is difficult to understand.”

He added that Poland would request reimbursement from the European Union for the cost of the tanks it wants to send to Ukraine.

One of Germany’s fears is that a sudden deployment could further intensify the confrontation with Russia, so it has been reluctant to send them or enable other countries to do the same.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius claimed on Tuesday that Berlin had given allies the go-ahead to train Ukrainians to operate Leopard 2 tanks but had not committed to sending its own.

A choice would soon be made, according to Mr. Pistorius, about the delivery of the tanks. The Chief of Staff of the Military said that political consideration will be given to any decision.

At a press conference with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Mr. Pistorius added, “We are urging our partners to start training Ukrainian military on these Leopard vehicles, if they wish to, and if they have the opportunity.”

In recent days, the perceived German slowness to provide armored vehicles has angered the allied nations.

Mariusz Blaszczak, the defense minister of Poland, said in a statement on Tuesday that he was pleading with Germany to “join the coalition of countries assisting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks.”

The security of all of Europe is at risk, thus this is our shared cause, he continued.

After meeting with the Polish president Andrzej Duda on Tuesday, Lithuania’s president Gitanas Nauseda declared that Poland was determined to send its tanks to Ukraine.

“It is a pity that sometimes there is a completely unnecessary delay as we could have made decisions sooner. The Polish side is very keen to provide such support,” Mr. Nauseda said.

Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, was criticized for allegedly moving slowly, but Mr. Pistorius backed him.

Taking the initiative does not entail charging ahead aimlessly, he continued. “And that’s just how it is if the decision takes another day or two.”

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