The Netherlands government will supply ammunition for Leopard tanks that other NATO countries send to Ukraine in an effort to offer assistance to the Ukrainian government in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
«It doesn’t make much sense to deliver just the tank. We have to deliver a complete package,» Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren has justified, detailing that 20,000 rounds of ammunition will be included, as picked up by ‘De Telegraaf’.
Also, the Netherlands Army will train Ukrainian soldiers, Ollongren detailed. «Within the tank coalition, the Netherlands is the only country without tanks, but we have offered help with training as well as ammunition and spare parts. Together we can offer what Ukraine needs,» he added.
Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed at a NATO press conference that the Netherlands does not own Leopard tanks, but pays a lease for them to Germany.
In this regard, as ‘de facto’ Leopard battle tanks on Dutch territory are German, Germany has prevented its partner from sending tanks to Ukraine. However, it is not ruled out that leased tanks will go to Kiev in the future, according to Pistorius.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
