Czechia denies readiness to give Ukraine Leopard tanks it received instead of T-72
The Ministry of Defenсe of the Czech Republic has denied information about the country’s readiness to transfer Leopard 2 tanks received from Germany to Ukraine as compensation for the delivery of Soviet-style T-72 tanks to Kyiv.
Source: A statement by the Ministry of Defenсe of the Czech Republic, as reported by European Pravda.
Quote: "Foreign media have reported that the Czech Republic and Slovakia were allegedly ready to give up Leopard 2 tanks in favour of Ukraine. This information is not true. No one has asked or proposed that the Czech Republic send the tanks which, according to a previous agreement, it will receive from Germany as compensation for aid to Ukraine," the statement reads.
The ministry said that nothing similar was discussed at the meeting of the Defence Contact Group at the Ramstein base, where representatives of five dozen countries discussed further military support for Ukraine.
"Assumptions that the Czech Republic will receive American Abrams tanks instead of Leopard tanks are equally false," the agency said.
Background:
- Earlier, German outlet FAZ reported that the Czech Republic and Slovakia could transfer tanks received from Germany to Ukraine, about 30 units.
- German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that Western allies have not yet reached an agreement to provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 main battle tanks at the Ramstein format meeting, but he instructed his ministry to prepare for "the day that may come."
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