Germany to coordinate with the Allies on Ukraine’s armaments decisions

PARIS (Reuters) – Under pressure to send German-made tanks to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that all decisions on arms deliveries would be made in coordination with allies, including the United States.

Last week, Germany and its Western allies failed to decide whether to agree to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or allow other countries asking them to do so, despite pleas from Ukraine for the upgraded tanks to bolster its defense efforts.

Asked at a press conference in Paris about the supply of tanks to Ukraine, Scholz said that all arms shipments to Ukraine have been made in close coordination with Western allies so far. He said he would do that in the future.

Speaking at the same press conference, French President Emmanuel Macron said he did not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine.

Macron said that the deployment of tanks should not exacerbate the situation, given the time needed to effectively train Ukrainians and not endanger France’s security.

“Regarding Leclercs, I have asked the defense minister to act, but nothing has been ruled out,” Macron said, adding that the move must be coordinated with allies such as Germany within days and weeks. coming.

German sources told Reuters that if the United States agreed to send its own tanks, it would allow German-made tanks to be sent to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia. But US officials said President Joe Biden’s administration is not ready to send its own tanks, including the M1 Abrams.

Schultz was in Paris to meet with his French counterparts and senior government officials.

Reporting by Andreas Ring and Lee Thomas; Editing by Andrew Heavens and David Holmes

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