President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky reacted cautiously last night to reports that Germany has finally decided to equip its army with Leopard 2 heavy tanks and allow other countries with such armored vehicles to do the same.

“A lot of effort, a lot of talk and promises,” he said late Tuesday in his daily televised address. “But it is important to look at reality. The question is not five, ten or fifteen tanks. More needs. Every day we do everything to hide the flaws. And I am grateful to everyone who supports us in this endeavor.”

“Talk about tanks should come to a decision. Decisions to truly strengthen our defenses against terrorists. Ukraine’s allies in the West have the required number of tanks. When decisions are made with the necessary weight, we will be happy to express gratitude for each of them,” the President of Ukraine added.

Zelensky has been insisting for months that Berlin send heavy weapons to Kyiv to fight back the Russian military that invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

German press: “Yes” from Berlin for Leopard

Last night, the German media reported that the government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after several months of pressure from Kyiv and its allies, decided to put Leopard 2 in Kyiv and agree to other countries that have them, in particular Poland, to immediately send someone to the Ukrainian army.

The decision could be officially announced today as Mr. Scholz is expected to address (at 2:00 pm Greek time) the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house.

Russia reacted to the possible supply of tanks from the United States

At the same time, Moscow reacted to the possible supply of heavy tanks by the US and its allies to the Ukrainian army.

According to Reuters, citing a US official, it seems that the resistance of the US government has been overcome and the process of delivering about 30 M1 Abrams armored combat tanks is beginning, which, however, can last from months to years. Relevant announcements are expected within a day.

Initially, Russia’s ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, said the move would be “another blatant provocation” against Russia.

The possible delivery of heavy tanks by the US and its allies to the Ukrainian army would be “another egregious provocation” against Russia, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said today.

“It is clear that Washington has set out to inflict a strategic defeat on us,” Mr. Antonov said, according to the embassy’s message on the Telegram platform.

“If the US decides to buy tanks, justifying this move with “defensive weapons” arguments will have no effect. This will be another egregious challenge to the Russian Federation.”

According to APE-MPE, dpa, AFP, Reuters