European Parliament Called on Germany to Hand over Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine

Members of the European Parliament have called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany to hand over the immediate deployment of modern weapons and an air defence system to Ukraine.

This is stated in the 2022 annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy approved on Wednesday.

The MEPs also called for the immediate deployment of modern weapons and air defence systems in Ukraine.

They emphasise that Ukraine defends its territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders and urgently needs military aid and heavy weapons to win the war.

"The EU and its member states should increase military, political and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and strengthen their defences against Russian threats to European security. The EU's response to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine is being closely watched by autocracies around the world and will have a significant impact on their behaviour in the international arena", MEPs stated.

Earlier on Wednesday, Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, said that he supported the idea of providing Ukraine with tanks and other necessary types of weapons.

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, said that the partner countries should hand over Western battle tanks to Ukraine.

Additionally, last week Poland expressed readiness to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, but in a coalition of partners.

This week, the UK was the first to announce the transfer of its Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.