MPs from all sides demand Germany send tanks to war-torn Ukraine
SENIOR MPs from all parties have pleaded against German dithering on sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
The bosses of 24 major Commons committees and dozens of other senior backbenchers have written to the German Defence Minister “at this moment of extreme urgency.”
The intervention comes after a Western allies summit in Germany on Friday ended without a commitment by to send more battle tanks to Ukraine, despite a call from President Volodymyr Zelensky to speed up the delivery of military support in his country's struggle against Russia.
So far among the Nato allies, only the UK has agreed to send tanks, in the form of 14 British Army Challenger 2s.
There had been hopes that Germany would authorise the release of its battle tanks, which are potentially available in far greater numbers.
The MPs letter to Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius reads: “We are conscious of the very significant efforts Germany has made to support Ukraine, especially over the last twelve months. We understand the historic reasons for reluctance to provide German and German-made tanks.
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“However, we would urge you at this moment of extreme urgency, to reconsider your position and allow Leopard 2 battle tanks – both German-owned and German-built – to be provided to Ukraine in the next few days.”
It was coordinated by Labour’s Chris Bryant and signed by the Chairs of all the major Commons committees as well 37 other MPs.
Their plea was also echoed by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly who said he would like "nothing more than to see Ukrainians armed with Leopard 2" tanks.
He added: "The Prime Minister decided quite rightly that the most humane thing to do is to bring this war to a swift conclusion and for the Ukrainians to be successful in the defence of the homeland.
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"That is why we made the commitment to significantly increase our military support to Ukraine, to help them defend themselves, including with Challenger 2 tanks.
"I would like nothing more than to see the Ukrainians equipped with those most up-to-date armoured vehicles, both tanks and artillery, and others.
The Leopard 2 is an incredibly effective piece of military equipment. I would like nothing more than to see the Ukrainians armed with Leopard 2.”
But he refused to directly criticise Berlin, stressing that, ultimately, it is for "every sovereign government to decide how they are best able to support the Ukrainians as a member of Nato".