The Kremlin said on Wednesday that if Western countries supply Ukraine with heavy tanks, these mechanisms will be destroyed on the battlefield, while Kyiv awaits Berlin’s decision to supply it with Leopard-2 tanks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. told reporters: “Technologically, the plan failed. This is a reassessment of the capabilities that will be added to the Ukrainian army. These tanks will burn like the others. They’re just too expensive.” According to media reports, this is due to the fact that the US and Germany plan to send tanks to Ukraine after months of disputes.
The administration of US President Joe Biden is expected to announce plans to send dozens of M1 Abrams tanks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly decided to send at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks.
Privately, German officials insisted that they would only agree to the transfer of the Leopard 2 to Ukraine if the United States also sent M1 Abrams. According to US media reports, officials from both countries denied any connection between the two possible moves.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, at least 16 countries in Europe and NATO have Leopard 2 tanks. Ukrainian officials have said that potential deliveries could have a significant impact on the battlefield against Russia. It is noteworthy that the UK has pledged to send 14 Challenger tanks to Ukraine, while France is considering sending some of its Leclerc battle tanks.
