The Ukraine Contact Group meeting ended with promises of a “powerful” military aid package for Kiev, but no decision on the deployment of German-made heavy tanks for the Ukrainians. Berlin in recent days did not give in to pressure from the Allies to deliver its Leopards, nor did it block the ability for other countries to send the Leopards they have in their arsenal (they must give the green light for this eventual transfer). “Time remains a Russian weapon,” recalled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that “there is no alternative” to sending tanks.
“Today we still cannot say when a decision will be made, and what that decision will be, regarding the Leopard tanks.” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, in office for less than a week. In a break from the meeting at the US airbase in Ramstein, Germany, which was attended by representatives from 50 countries, the minister reminded that the idea that “there is a united coalition” and that Berlin is “in the way” is wrong. “, claiming that “there are many allies who say they share the German vision”.
Poland, one of the countries that has already shown willingness to supply its own Leopards to Ukraine (Zelensky says Portugal is another country), is convinced that the Allies will eventually form this coalition to hand over the tanks requested by Kiev . “I am convinced that the formation of this coalition will be a success,” said Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. But the decision has not yet been made in Ramstein. “There are good reasons for a transfer and there are good reasons against it,” the German Pistorius referred, saying it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin believes that “we can all do more” for Ukraine, but regarding the German position, he reiterated that Berlin is a “reliable ally”. The US itself does not have on the table sending its heavy Abrams tanks, with the Germans rejecting news that sending the Leopards would depend on Washington’s decision to send his Abrams as well. Austin recalled that Germany will send Marder tanks and that Ukrainian success “depends not on a single platform” but on a “combined effort” by everyone.
The Pentagon, which has admitted it will be “very difficult” to expel Russian troops from Ukraine this year, announced on the eve of the meeting a new $2.5 billion military aid package for Kievincluding 90 Stryker fighting vehicles and 59 Bradley armored vehicles. Zelensky thanked this “powerful” aid, as well as Finland’s 12th aid package, worth €400 million. Germany and the Netherlands will send Patriot missile systems. Portugal will send an additional 14 M113 armored vehicles and, as for the Leopards, it is available to train the military to use them and “in consultation with its partners, identify ways to support Ukraine with this capability”.
The Kremlin was convinced that the supply of tanks to Ukraine “will not change anything” about the situation on the ground, accusing the West of perpetuating the “dramatic illusion” that a military victory for Kiev is possible. “One should not exaggerate the importance of providing such weapons, nor their ability to change anything. They will not change anything in terms of the progress of the Russian side in achieving its objectives,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Source: DN
