German Leopard tanks for Ukraine?
Lambrecht confirms talks with Spain about explosive deal
Created: 06/30/2022, 11:13 am
By: Momir Takac
Spain wants to deliver German A4 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
© picture alliance/dpa |
Gregory Mayer
Spain is considering handing over German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
Defense Minister Lambrecht confirmed talks about the politically sensitive delivery.
Madrid/Kyiv - In the war against Russia, Ukraine asks western countries to deliver more heavy weapons almost every day.
In Spain, the demands seem to have been heard.
According to Spanish reports, the Iberian country is considering supplying Ukraine with anti-aircraft missiles and German Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks.
Ukraine News: Lambrecht spoke to a Spanish colleague about the delivery of German Leopard tanks
According to reports in the newspaper
El Mundo
from early June, the tanks were mothballed and would first have to be prepared for use.
As a result, around 40 of the 108 Leopard tanks that Spain bought used in Germany in 1995 could be made operational again.
The controversial thing, however, is that Germany would first have to agree to a transfer.
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht is said to have discussed this with her Spanish counterpart Margarita Robles on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid.
As the German Press Agency reported on Thursday, no decision has been made on the Spanish side.
War in Ukraine: Spain considers delivery of German Leopard tanks - application according to Lambrecht not yet received
But what is Germany's position on the delivery of Leopard tanks in the Ukraine conflict?
In an
El Mundo
interview, Lambrecht was asked about reports that Germany had vetoed a major shipment of military equipment from Spain to Ukraine.
Lambrecht said: "I am aware of the press reports, but not a request from the Spanish government."
Specifically, it is apparently about ten Leopard tanks.
In the ZDF
Today Journal
, the SPD politician confirmed on Wednesday evening that she did not have a request from Spain.
Should a corresponding application follow, "we will advise the federal government and also make a decision quickly," Lambrecht had announced.
