Skip to content
Edit post

Spain, Netherlands, Sweden may supply Western tanks to Ukraine.

by The Kyiv Independent news desk January 25, 2023 7:46 PM 2 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Jan. 25 that Madrid was open to providing Ukraine with German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

Spain joins a group of European countries preparing to transfer powerful Leopards to Ukraine, whose soldiers are braving Russia’s brutal assaults in the east and south of the country.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also said in an interview published on Jan. 24 that the Netherlands is considering delivering 18 Leopards to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Swedish Defense Minister Paul Johnson said he does not rule out sending its Stridsvagn 122 tanks to Ukraine if Germany greenlights Leopards for Ukraine, Sweden's Svenska Dagbladet newspaper reported on Jan. 25.

Johnson said that “currently, there are no preparations for the transfer of tanks from Sweden, but it is possible that this may happen later.”

Biden announces decision to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s office on Jan. 25 made a U-turn decision, confirming that Berlin would send 14 Leopards to Ukraine and allow other countries, such as Spain and the Netherlands, to do the same.

Previously the German government had been reluctant to approve Leopard 2 deliveries but eventually succumbed under pressure from the media and allies.

Following the announcement of the U-turn decision, the German government said that a program for Ukrainian troops to train on Leopards is set to “begin quickly” in Germany.

The government added in the statement that the goal is to quickly assemble two battalions of Leopards.

Each battalion usually consists of about 40 tanks, meaning that European countries could be preparing to supply approximately 80 tanks to Ukraine.

On Jan. 24, ABC News reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, that there were 12 countries ready to give about 100 Leopards to Ukraine if Germany greenlights it.

Compared with Soviet tanks, which Ukraine and Russia currently use on the battlefield, the mobility and firepower of Western equipment could help Ukraine launch more counteroffensive operations.

Oleg Sukhov: What should be done to ensure Ukraine's victory in 2023


News Feed

1:48 AM

Russia expands visa-free entry for Georgian citizens.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a presidential decree on Oct. 10 expanding visa-free entry for Georgian citizens who are working or studying in Russia, as Moscow continues to cozy relations with Tbilisi amid concerns over the country's democratic backsliding.
3:26 PM

EBRD, IFC to provide $435 million to new Ukrainian telecom company.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) provided $435 million long-term debt for Datagroup-Volia-Lifecell, a recently merged Ukrainian telecom company, to improve telecoms service quality, the EBRD said on Oct. 10.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.