Ukraine sees no obstacles to Leopard tank supplies from Germany – FM Kuleba

Ukraine sees no obstacles to the supply of Leopard tanks from Germany and calls for artillery ammunition supplies before this decision is made.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba during a joint press conference with German Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“I won’t hide it, today the main subject of our negotiations has been the increase and acceleration of arms supplies for Ukraine. This autumn we expect to receive the first advanced German-manufactured IRIS air defense system. Also, I could not help but mention the latest initiative, the so-called ‘Leopard plan’, which had appeared in the German media, and stressed the importance of delivering such tanks from Germany. We see no obstacles to this,” Kuleba said.

Before this decision is made, Kuleba asked the German side to provide artillery ammunition for Ukraine.

“This is what we need on the front. This decision is not as difficult as tank supplies, even technically. But, artillery ammunition now can significantly strengthen our offensive capabilities. This will help us to liberate new territories and save human lives,” Kuleba emphasized.

Kuleba expressed gratitude to Germany for its decision about certain arms supplies, which was endorsed last spring.

“Now I want to slightly shift the emphasis and say that Ukraine’s current appeal sounds like ‘Schedule, schedule and schedule’ in terms of arms supplies. Every day Ukraine needs to receive the new types of weapons and ammunition for them. This is the key to victory,” Kuleba noted.

The Ukrainian side counts on Germany’s assistance in this regard, and Kuleba thanked Baerbock for her willingness to work on this.

mk