The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, has assumed on Monday that Germany will not prevent other countries of the bloc from sending tanks to Ukraine, after affirming that the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has said so during a meeting in Brussels with her European colleagues.
At a press conference after the Foreign Affairs Council, the head of EU diplomacy has played down the divisions between member states on the supply of tanks to Kiev and assured that after the discussion of more than 40 countries of the military coalition supporting Ukraine at the Ramstein air base, Monday’s meeting in Brussels consisted of an «exchange of views».
In this regard, Borrell explained that «the novelty» of Monday’s discussion is that the German head of state has indicated that she will not veto the re-export of Leopard tanks. «From what I have understood Germany is not going to ban exports of these weapons, if any EU country that has it, wishes to do so,» he argued.
These words come after Poland announced Monday that it will formally ask Germany for permission to send ‘Leopard’ tanks to Kiev and suggested the creation of an alliance of Eastern European countries to supply these military systems.
«We will certainly send the tanks, we will be in contact with the German government for this,» Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said in remarks following a meeting with his European colleagues in Brussels.
In this sense, he regretted that Berlin’s actions «can be more dynamic and firm» to authorize the re-export of this type of military systems and, without wanting to set deadlines, he insisted that Warsaw will provide its tanks to Kiev and is already in contact with other European countries to forge this military alliance.
For his part, the Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has called for military support to Ukraine «in everything it needs, at all times» but at the same time not to break European unity. «Airing alleged divisions does not help Ukraine at all, it does not make Ukraine’s task any easier», he assured, although he did not clarify whether Spain will join the coalition proposed by Poland.
«Spain wishes there were no issues that could be divisive. But it has shown that it has supplied Ukraine with what was in our hands and what was necessary for its defense,» stressed Albares, who has asked for «discretion» when talking about military equipment such as the Leopard. «Allow me to maintain a certain reserve and the Ministry of Defense will take care of any announcement that needs to be made,» he pointed out.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
