The Portuguese Ministry of Defense has confirmed that countries with German-made Leopard tanks have met on the sidelines of the Ramstein summit to discuss the supply of these battle tanks to Ukraine.
According to a statement issued by the Portuguese Defense Ministry, the meeting was held at the request of the Polish and Ukrainian authorities, two of the countries that have put the most pressure on Germany both for the delivery of these tanks and to facilitate the donation of these tanks to Kiev by third countries.
«The Ministry of Defense has reiterated (to Ukraine) the offer of training in this type of combat vehicles and has expressed the willingness of the Portuguese government to identify, in coordination with its partners, ways to support Ukraine with this capability,» reads the statement.
The German government did not unblock the supply of tanks to Ukraine on Friday, within the framework of the meeting of the countries of the Contact Group for Ukraine, which are meeting at the Ramstein military base in Germany.
During the meeting, the German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, has pointed out that there is no unanimous opinion on the deployment of the Leopards, although he has not closed to take the step in the future, diplomatic sources have confirmed to Europa Press.
The supply of tanks has been the focus of international attention in recent days, as Berlin has in its power to authorize the re-export of tanks to Ukraine, as requested by Poland and the Baltic countries.
The sources consulted confirm the lack of agreement at the meeting in Ramstein, which brings together 40 countries that militarily support Ukraine, and point out that it remains «unclear» when or if the decision on the tanks will finally be taken.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
