The German federal government has not yet received a request to approve the supply of German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, a government spokesman said earlier, however, not excluding the possibility of submitting and approving such a request.

“There is still no request from the Polish government. Press statements are not an official request,” government spokesman Steffen Hebstreit clarified, referring to today’s statement by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that his country intends to ask Germany for permission to supply Leopard tanks to Ukraine. there are Polish armed forces Contracts for the sale of German equipment systems stipulate that their resale or distribution to a third country must first be approved by Berlin.

“There are procedures for this, and they will be followed. When Poland submits a relevant request, the process begins,” Hebstrate said, without specifying, however, how long this process could take.

Germany “is not isolated on the issue of the supply of Leopard 2, some countries are in favor, some are against,” a government spokesman said, stressing that “the federal government does not rule out the supply, but no decision has been made.” been done.”

In response to a question about rumors of problems with the US caused by German restraint over Leopard 2, a government spokesman said he could not confirm “neither in substance nor in perceived intensity.”

Talks with the United States are “ongoing and constructive, we have a clear exchange of views, and the chancellor continues to maintain close coordination with the United States,” the statement said.

The leader of the SPD Lars Kingbeil adhered to the same line, emphasizing that Leopards could be delivered from other countries to Ukraine only with the permission of Germany. “There is a clear process and it should be followed,” he said.

Greens foreign policy chief Anton Hofreiter took a different view, saying in an interview with Phoenix TV that the federal government had “damaged Germany’s reputation” by delaying the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. “We have caused significant damage, especially in Eastern and Central Europe, but also in other countries, and now internationally,” added Mr. Hofreiter. “We do a lot, and so it’s even more tragic that by clumsy handling in certain areas – although we do so much – we have pretty much ruined our reputation,” he said.

Source: RES-IPE