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Ukraine war: Volodymyr Zelenskyy ‘thankful’ for Leopard 2 tanks but warns quantity and delivery time is ‘critical’
Ukraine’s president has told Sky News he is “very happy” and “thankful” that Germany has decided to supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks – but warned the quantity and delivery time of the vehicles is “critical”.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kay Burley, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked allies around the world for their continued support following Russia’s invasion of his country.
“I would like to say thank you to Germany, to Britain and to the United States that they made this decision,” he said.
“Overall I am very thankful to the world for the support for Ukraine. But speaking frankly, the number of tanks and the delivery time to Ukraine is critical.”
Ukraine war – latest: Russia sends warning to US over tanks
The moment Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard Germany was pledging tanks during his interview with Kay Burley
President Zelenskyy’s comments come after Germany confirmed it would send the Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv and authorised partner countries to also send them – despite threats from Russia.
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Germany to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
The move means other countries – such as Poland and Spain – which have stocks of the NATO-standard tank can now supply them to Kyiv.
Yesterday, Moscow warned Berlin that sending tanks “does not bode well for future relations” – and told the US that should it authorise such a move, it would be a “blatant provocation”.
The Russian embassy in Berlin condemned the move as an “extremely dangerous decision” and an “escalation” of the conflict.
:: Watch the full interview on Sky News tomorrow
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Germans to deliver ‘battle tanks to Ukraine’
Announcing the decision, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday Germany was “acting in close co-ordination” with its allies.
The aim is to provide Ukraine with two battalions – 88 tanks – together with other allies.
The long-awaited decision comes after US officials said a preliminary agreement had been struck for the United States to send M1 Abrams tanks to help Kyiv push back Russian forces and win back territory occupied by Russia.
US President Joe Biden is due to give a speech on continued US support to Ukraine this afternoon.
The White House did not elaborate on what he would say, but it will follow Germany’s announcement and days of political impasse – and opens the door for more nations to send tanks to Ukraine.
Yesterday, reports emerged that the US was poised to approve sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
US Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said discussions were “ongoing” about what Ukraine needed but did not confirm whether the US will send the tanks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any US tanks sent to Ukraine would “burn like all the rest”.