Stoltenberg expects a "soon solution" to Germany's inquiries about sending tanks to Ukraine

BRUSSELS, 24 Ene. (EUROPE PRESS) -

The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has assured this Tuesday from Germany that he expects a "prompt solution" to the consultations initiated by Berlin with other allies to coordinate the possible shipment of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, insisting that the supply of these military systems to stop an upcoming Russian offensive on the ground.

"At this key moment we must provide heavy weapons to Ukraine. We have discussed the issue of tank supply, consultations between allies will continue and I hope we will have a solution soon," he assured at a press conference from the German capital together with the Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius.

The visit of the NATO political chief comes days after Germany maintained the blockade on the supply of battle tanks last Friday at the meeting of more than 40 allies at the Ramstein airbase. Against Pistorius, the former Norwegian prime minister has defended joint consultations and assessments between allies, insisting that there must be "conclusions soon". "There will be new decisions as we move forward as an alliance," he pointed out.

Stoltenberg has stressed that time is pressing since Ukraine needs these teams to face the new offensives that the Kremlin is preparing in the spring. "Tanks are important to repel Russian offensives and for Ukraine to retake its territory", he has assessed.

In any case, he has highlighted that the NATO countries that have these tanks are already beginning the process to identify equipment, prepare them to send them to kyiv and begin the training of Ukrainian troops, stressing that the allies are preparing to give this step, which, in any case, has warned that it will take some time.

Faced with international pressure on Berlin to allow the re-export of German-made tanks to Ukraine, as demanded by Poland and the Baltics, who on Monday suggested the creation of an international platform to send the battle tanks, the Allied Secretary General He has insisted that Germany plays a "key role" within NATO and has valued Berlin's announcements in the field of Defense since the start of the war in Ukraine as "historic".

Similarly, Stoltenberg has highlighted his commitment to sending weapons such as Patriot batteries, anti-aircraft defense equipment, as well as artillery and ammunition. "German weapons are saving lives in Ukraine every day and preventing Russian missile attacks against schools and hospitals", he has deepened.