First visit by new German defense minister to troops, announces delivery of ‘Leopard 2’ to Ukraine

Germany’s newly appointed defense minister, Boris Pistorius, has paid his first visit to the troops after assuming office seven days ago.

He announced that Germany will be delivering the much-anticipated ‘Leopard 2’ to Ukraine in between the end of March and the beginning of April. Promises made earlier of sending the advanced tanks to Ukraine are now being fulfilled.

This visit and the announcement coincided with the meeting of the Prime Minister and other European leaders in the capital, where discussion about Ukraine’s security situation was a priority.

The minister said the Leopard 2s shipments would be started within few weeks and other pieces military equipment will follow. The purpose of these tank is to assist Ukraine in fending off potential external pressures.

Officials in Berlin said the defense minister’s visit is a message to Ukraine’s neighbors, particularly Russia, that Germany takes Ukraine’s security situation seriously, and is committed to strengthen it.

The Leopard 2 tanks are considered the most advanced tanks in the world and they are expected to bolster Ukraine’s defense forces.
The minister also said the German army will remain keen to assist Ukraine in other areas, such as exchanging training programs, for example.