Scholz Blocks Billions in Supply of Tanks to Ukraine – Media

The Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Schmyhal, was optimistic after meeting Olaf Scholz. In truth, however, the Chancellor let him down on his central concern and rejected his request for additional heavy weapons.

It was, in particular, about the supply by German industry of the most modern Leopard 2 tanks, as Welt found out among Ukrainian governmental circles.

The offer was based on the arms group Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) dated April 8. The company had already agreed to supply Ukraine with 100 Leopard 2A7 tanks, including spare parts and training units for soldiers, for 1.55 billion euros. Therefore, the first tanks could be delivered 36 months after signing the contract.

However, Scholz did not guarantee such supplies but rather remained "general and non-specific" in his conversation with Shmyhal. Welt reports that the Chancellor has shown "no desire at all" to change his negative position regarding the tank supply.

The Scholz office responded to Welt they would not stop backing Ukraine in military, political, financial, and humanitarian terms.

"We would kindly ask you to understand that we do not disclose confidential talks," said a representative of the Chancellor's office.

As previously reported, Shmyhal, before his visit to Germany, had called on the federal government to supply the Ukrainian military with battle tanks to counter Russian aggression.

During his visit to Berlin, he also discussed arms supplies to Ukraine with the President of Germany.