Ukraine calls on Western countries to provide Leopard-2 tanks to fight the Russian invaders, according to a joint statement by Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on the urgency of boosting Ukraine's defence capabilities.
The Ministers emphasize that Russia has not changed its goals towards Ukraine, which are to destroy one of the largest states in Europe and to exterminate 45 million people. The Russian Federation has accompanied its aggression with numerous war crimes and crimes against humanity, including deliberate killings of civilians, massive missile attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities, and the targeted destruction of civilian infrastructure.
So far, Ukraine has proven its ability to stop the aggressor state and is grateful to more than 50 partner countries for their hands-on military assistance.
However, Russia still retains a significant advantage in the number of troops, weapons and military equipment. Russian troops continue their offensive in eastern Ukraine, and the Kremlin is determined to further intensify hostilities.
"That is why we appeal to all partner states that have already provided military assistance or are planning to provide it, with a call to considerably reinforce their practical contribution to strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself and bring their assistance to a qualitatively new level. Today, the improvement of the provision of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with modern armoured vehicles and increasing their fire and manoeuvrability capabilities with the help of Western tanks is one of the most pressing and urgent needs," Kuleba and Reznikov emphasized.
They welcomed the UK's decision to provide Ukraine with the first squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.
"However, it is not sufficient to achieve operational goals. Therefore, we are addressing our appeal to the states that have Leopard 2 tanks in service, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. We guarantee that we will use these weapons responsibly and exclusively for the purposes of protecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders. We appeal to all these and other countries possessing appropriate capabilities to join the initiative on establishment of an international tank coalition in support of Ukraine and make their practical contributions to this cause," the statement reads.
"We call for this to be done for the sake of millions of Ukrainian civilians who continue to face mortal danger from the aggressor and terrorist state of Russia if the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not receive the necessary reinforcement promptly," the ministers added.
Poland is currently forming a coalition of countries that will provide Ukraine with German Leopard tanks. Earlier, during a visit to Lviv, President Andrzej Duda said that Poland was ready to provide Ukraine with a company of modern German Leopard tanks as part of an international coalition. That requires Germany's consent.
According to media reports, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is supposedly ready to supply Ukraine with Leopard main battle tanks, but on one condition - if the United States provides Abrams.
Around Friday, the US is preparing to announce a new large arms package for Ukraine. The package is likely to include Stryker armoured fighting vehicles, but the US will not provide tanks yet.