Olaf Scholz does not approve the sale of Leopard 2A7, Leopard 1 tanks and Marder BMPs to Ukraine, despite two contracts worth almost €2 billion
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not want to approve the sale of Leopard tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
Here's What We Know
The Federal Chancellor does not approve the sale of Leopard 2A7 tanks, Leopard 1 tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. This is reported by Die Welt. According to the German newspaper, in a conversation with the Ukrainian prime minister, Scholz showed no desire to change his position on the supply of weapons.
Interestingly, German companies themselves offered Ukraine to buy the equipment. In particular, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann reported its readiness to sell 100 Leopard 2A7 tanks along with spare parts and additional equipment. The value of the contract would be €1.55 billion, and the first tank would be delivered to Ukraine only three years after the signing of the contract, and the last tank - in more than five years.
In addition, Rheinmetall offered Ukraine 100 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and 88 Leopard 1 main battle tanks with ammunition for €268 million. Rheinmetall even managed to submit an export application, but Olaf Scholz did not react. The interlocutor of Die Welt says that Ukraine does not understand why the Federal Chancellor refuses to accept Rheinmetall's application to export the Marder infantry fighting vehicles.
Source: Die Welt
Image: Wikipedia
