{"id":83534,"date":"2023-01-20T17:14:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T17:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/01\/20\/ukraines-allies-fail-to-reach-breakthrough-on-sending-new-tanks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:44:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:44:43","slug":"ukraines-allies-fail-to-reach-breakthrough-on-sending-new-tanks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2023\/01\/20\/ukraines-allies-fail-to-reach-breakthrough-on-sending-new-tanks\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine\u2019s allies fail to reach breakthrough on sending new tanks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Defense leaders gathered at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday to rally fresh support for Ukraine could not resolve an impasse over providing new Western tanks for Ukraine in its war to repel Russia<\/a>, but Germany\u2019s new defense minister said he is approaching a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite pleas from Kyiv, Germany has so far resisted international pressure to provide its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, or permit other countries with the tanks, like Poland and Finland, to send them. Ukrainian leaders have said they need modern Western tanks to help repel an expected spring offensive from Moscow\u2019s forces in Russian-occupied territories in the east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the <\/b>meeting of representatives from the 50-plus donor nations<\/a>, new German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius<\/a> defended his government\u2019s decision to withhold the weapons for now, but said he has ordered a review of the country\u2019s stocks in case of a change of heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not really hesitating, but we are just being very careful in balancing the pros and cons,\u201d he added. \u201cThis is a new kind of measure we would choose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pistorius said there was no unity among representatives about sending Leopard tanks, suggesting even their military utility for the conflict is in dispute. \u201cThere is no common opinion\u201d on tank deliveries, said Pistorius. \u201cThe impression that there is a firm coalition, with Germany standing in the way, is false.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The struggle over main battle tanks comes as the U.S. and other allies of Ukraine are ramping up support for Ukraine to include armored vehicles<\/a>, advanced air defenses like Patriot and other weapons they previously denied to Kyiv. The aid reflects a fear the conflict could turn into a grinding war of attrition unless Ukrainian forces have the tools they need to turn the tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin<\/a>, who had pressed Berlin for a decision<\/a>, told reporters after Friday\u2019s meeting that Germany is still a leader in the effort and a reliable ally. He pointed to Berlin\u2019s provision of armored vehicles, air defenses and training for Ukrainian forces \u2014 and downplayed the tank issue, saying the effort \u201cisn\u2019t really about one single platform.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey are a reliable ally, and they\u2019ve been that way for a very, very long time, and I truly believe that they\u2019ll continue to be a reliable ally going forward,\u201d Austin said. \u201cNot to mention Germany is host to 39,000 of my troops and their families, and also 10,000 civilians here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t