‘Hammer blow’ for Putin as Ukraine gets tanks

Germany and United States agree to give Kyiv weapons that could turn tide of war

THE West is poised to send nearly 200 battle tanks to Ukraine in a potential hammer blow that could help Kyiv win its war against Vladimir Putin.

It came after Germany last night succumbed to weeks of international pressure and agreed to donate some of its Leopard 2 tanks.

Berlin also relented by allowing other countries such as Poland to re-export German-made Leopard 2s, which could happen within days.

Meanwhile, the United States dropped its opposition to sending M1 Abrams tanks, potentially dozens of them, in an escalation of its involvement.

The UK has already become the first ally to send tanks to Ukraine, having pledged 14 of its Challenger 2s. Under international agreements other countries must be granted permission by Berlin to send their Leopard 2s.

Officials in Kyiv have suggested a dozen nations are willing to donate a total of up to 100 if given permission by the German government.

Germany itself was reportedly preparing to send 14 tanks with Olaf Scholz, the chancellor, expected to make an announcement as soon as today.

“Today the chancellor made a decision that no one took lightly. The fact that Germany will support Ukraine with the Leopard tank is a strong sign of solidarity,” Christian Duerr, parliamentary leader of the co-governing Free Democrats, said.

US officials suggested their plans were being finalised, with options to send up to 50 Abrams on the table. An announcement is expected this week.

It brought the number of tanks Kyiv can expect to have at its disposal to nearly 200, with potential for more. Meanwhile, Switzerland, which has a long-held tradition of neutrality, appeared to be moving towards allowing other countries to re-export Swissmade weapons to Ukraine, including Piranha tanks and anti-aircraft guns.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has long pleaded for tanks, which would be key to breaking through Russian defences in a Ukrainian counter-offensive to regain its territory.

Andriy Yermak, his chief of staff, said: “A few hundred tanks for our tank crews, the best tank crews in the world. This is going to become a real punching fist of democracy against the autocracy from the bog.”

Kirill Mikhailov, a Kyiv-based military researcher, said deliveries of tanks on that scale could “change the course of the war”.

He said: “We’ve already passed the end of the beginning. What you need now is to be able to replenish the Ukrainians to the point where the Russians will constantly be on the retreat.”

He said the US would be likely to settle on 50 Abrams, adding: “It is the min- imum that makes sense logistically on the battlefield.”

Sending less would mean the Abrams “usefulness would outweigh their strain on logistics chains”.

The developments resolved a period of friction over the issue of sending tanks, which had exposed a diplomatic rift in the Western alliance.

US officials had maintained that Abrams tanks were unsuitable for use in Ukraine because they are difficult to operate and maintain, require extensive training, and frequent refuelling.

They have long believed Germany’s Leopard 2s were a better fit because they have more easily sourced parts and are easy to maintain. However, Mr

Scholz had refused to allow their use, saying Berlin would not “go alone”.

The White House and Pentagon were caught off guard by the strength of the German reluctance. No agreement was reached in a meeting of 50 allied defence ministers at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany on Friday.

But after intense negotiations, including one senior US official reportedly “reading the riot act” to his German counterpart, a transatlantic tank deal appeared to have been struck.

US officials said there had been no final decision in Washington, but their position was softening and a “significant” number of Abrams could be sent.

Before the German and US reversals emerged, Chris Coons, a Democrat senator and close ally of Mr Biden, told Politico: “If the Germans continue to say we will only send or release Leopards on the condition that Americans send Abrams, we should send Abrams.”

It could take months to deliver the 70-ton Abrams tanks and train Ukrainian forces how to use them. However, the change in US position appeared to have helped unlock German resistance.

Mr Pistorius said: “I am preparing for a possible decision to send the Leopard tanks and to allow other European and Nato partners to do the same.”