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Another EU nation considers tank shipment to Ukraine – Politico | Another EU nation considers tank shipment to Ukraine – Politico |
(about 4 hours later) | |
France could send its Leclerc armor to Kiev, but the issue is “complicated,” the outlet’s sources say | France could send its Leclerc armor to Kiev, but the issue is “complicated,” the outlet’s sources say |
France is considering deliveries of Leclerc tanks to Ukraine in an effort to overcome Germany’s reluctance to make a similar commitment, Politico reported on Thursday, citing sources. Should France arrive at this decision, it would become the third nation to pledge Western-made heavy armor to Kiev. | France is considering deliveries of Leclerc tanks to Ukraine in an effort to overcome Germany’s reluctance to make a similar commitment, Politico reported on Thursday, citing sources. Should France arrive at this decision, it would become the third nation to pledge Western-made heavy armor to Kiev. |
According to a French official interviewed by the outlet, Paris may resort to the move in order to provide Germany with a joint framework for tank shipments for Ukraine. The German government has repeatedly argued that it would not supply Kiev with Leopard 2 tanks, claiming that deliveries of such weapons should be coordinated with its allies. | |
However, France has yet to make a final decision on the matter, the report says. “The subject is complicated and hasn’t been settled yet in Paris. But we are thinking about it,” a French official told Politico. | However, France has yet to make a final decision on the matter, the report says. “The subject is complicated and hasn’t been settled yet in Paris. But we are thinking about it,” a French official told Politico. |
He added that the issue could be addressed at the joint French-German cabinet meeting scheduled for Sunday. | He added that the issue could be addressed at the joint French-German cabinet meeting scheduled for Sunday. |
Several news outlets have reported that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would like the US to commit to tank shipments before Berlin would deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. However, on Wednesday, a senior Pentagon official signaled that the US is still not ready to send its M1 Abrams tanks to Kiev. | |
“I just don't think we're there yet,” admitted Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser. He described the US-made armor as “a very complicated piece of equipment.” | “I just don't think we're there yet,” admitted Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser. He described the US-made armor as “a very complicated piece of equipment.” |
“It's expensive. It's hard to train on. It has a jet engine,” he added. | “It's expensive. It's hard to train on. It has a jet engine,” he added. |
Calls for Germany to supply Kiev with Leopards grew louder after last week the UK confirmed it would send 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Poland also announced that it would transfer a company of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine “as part of coalition building” while urging other Western nations to follow suit. | Calls for Germany to supply Kiev with Leopards grew louder after last week the UK confirmed it would send 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Poland also announced that it would transfer a company of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine “as part of coalition building” while urging other Western nations to follow suit. |
The re-export of these heavy tanks, however, has yet to be greenlit by Germany, with Berlin warning Warsaw that proceeding with the delivery without its approval would be outright “illegal.” | The re-export of these heavy tanks, however, has yet to be greenlit by Germany, with Berlin warning Warsaw that proceeding with the delivery without its approval would be outright “illegal.” |
Russia has repeatedly blasted Western countries for sending weapons for Ukraine, arguing that this would only prolong the conflict. On Monday, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov warned that Western-made tanks provided to Ukraine “will burn” and would not be able to change the outcome of hostilities. | Russia has repeatedly blasted Western countries for sending weapons for Ukraine, arguing that this would only prolong the conflict. On Monday, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov warned that Western-made tanks provided to Ukraine “will burn” and would not be able to change the outcome of hostilities. |
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