04:59Germany: 'This is the right course' - Scholz on sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a joint press conference with Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir in Berlin on Wednesday, where they reaffirmed their joint commitments to NATO and support for Ukraine.
During his address, the Chancellor spoke at length about Germany’s plans to expand security assistance to Ukraine, including the recently announced provision of Leopard 2 battle tanks.
“As you know, we support them, Ukraine, financially with humanitarian aid, and in the case of Germany also with arms, breaking with a practice that we have held for decades," he said.
"Now we have added another support measure, closely in cooperation with our international partners, this is the right course ... we also intend to supplement what we have delivered, if there are multiple rocket launchers and the like in the anti-aircraft system," he added.
Jakobsdottir applauded Berlin’s decision to provide tanks of its own and permit others to supply Ukraine with the German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks.
“We do not see an ending in sight in this war. I think it is good, however, that Germany is making this contribution in close cooperation with other partners and allies because I think the unity and solidarity that Europe has shown and also our transatlantic partners have been maybe the most important consequence of this terrible war,” the Icelandic Prime Minister said.
“I think that solidarity surprised many, but it has it has continued and I think that shows really the strength of our cooperation both here within our continents but also with our allies in NATO," she added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed his country needed at least 300 tanks for use in the conflict with Russia. The UK is also sending 14 of its Challenger 2 vehicles.
Following Berlin’s announcement, Moscow claims the actions were 'extremely dangerous' and took the conflict to a 'new level of confrontation'.
04:59German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a joint press conference with Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir in Berlin on Wednesday, where they reaffirmed their joint commitments to NATO and support for Ukraine.
During his address, the Chancellor spoke at length about Germany’s plans to expand security assistance to Ukraine, including the recently announced provision of Leopard 2 battle tanks.
“As you know, we support them, Ukraine, financially with humanitarian aid, and in the case of Germany also with arms, breaking with a practice that we have held for decades," he said.
"Now we have added another support measure, closely in cooperation with our international partners, this is the right course ... we also intend to supplement what we have delivered, if there are multiple rocket launchers and the like in the anti-aircraft system," he added.
Jakobsdottir applauded Berlin’s decision to provide tanks of its own and permit others to supply Ukraine with the German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks.
“We do not see an ending in sight in this war. I think it is good, however, that Germany is making this contribution in close cooperation with other partners and allies because I think the unity and solidarity that Europe has shown and also our transatlantic partners have been maybe the most important consequence of this terrible war,” the Icelandic Prime Minister said.
“I think that solidarity surprised many, but it has it has continued and I think that shows really the strength of our cooperation both here within our continents but also with our allies in NATO," she added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed his country needed at least 300 tanks for use in the conflict with Russia. The UK is also sending 14 of its Challenger 2 vehicles.
Following Berlin’s announcement, Moscow claims the actions were 'extremely dangerous' and took the conflict to a 'new level of confrontation'.