Ukraine asks Germany to provide more Leopard 2 tanks
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Considering the first losses during the counteroffensive, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Melnyk asks for more German-made tanks, ntv reports.
Amid the loss of the first tanks delivered by the Western allies to participate in the hostilities in Ukraine, Kyiv is once again calling for increased support, particularly from Germany.
"The Ukrainian army desperately needs many more Western battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and other armored vehicles," Melnyk said.
"Each Leopard 2 is worth its weight in gold for a decisive offensive," said the former ambassador of Ukraine in Berlin.
In his opinion, the Bundeswehr can provide more than the 18 already delivered units from its stockpile of more than 300. The current number could be "tripled without jeopardizing Germany's ability to defend itself."
Melnyk also asked to hand over "another 60 Marder infantry fighting vehicles" to the Ukrainian army.
CDU security politician Roderich Kiesewetter supported Melnyk's demand.
"Allies should immediately replace all destroyed equipment, including Leopard battle tanks and armored personnel carriers, and deliver additional equipment," he said.
Markus Faber, a military politician from the Free Democratic Party, said that "clear statements about the replacement of lost material" could "support the attacked in their offensive." For example, the Bundestag decided to replace the Leopard 2 charges in service with the German armed forces.
"This is where we can increase the numbers to help," Faber said.
Melnyk also reiterated his request for Germany to provide Taurus cruise missiles and help build a powerful Ukrainian air force. Ukraine awaits "Germany's strategic decision on active participation in the coalition of fighters to allow Ukrainian pilots to train on Eurofighter fighters and to provide part of more than 130 aircraft."
As reported, the authorities forbid collecting scrap metal from the remains of Russian equipment in the Kherson region. This is due to the need to document the crimes of the Russians.
