Ukrainian military to master Leopard 2 tanks

Ukrainian tank crews will begin training on Leopard 2 tanks.

This was announced by Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov in an interview with Voice of America.

It should be noted that today no decisions have been made on the provision of these tanks.

“We have a breakthrough – this is an opportunity for countries that own Leopard tanks to start training missions, courses for our tank crews. We will start with this, and then we will move on,” Reznikov said.

The Minister added that he hoped that “in a calm mode for conducting its own internal consultations Germany will reach a decision on the possible transfer of tanks.”

“I’m optimistic about that. Because the first step has been taken: we will start Leopards 2 training program of the [Ukrainian] crews,” said the Head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

According to Reznikov, agreements on training were reached due to “tank” initiatives: Poland on Leopard and Great Britain on Challenger 2.

It is worth recalling that at the “Ramstein” meeting, which took place on January 20 in Germany, the participants did not agree on the provision of Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine.

Berlin directed to check the Leopard tanks reserves in the Bundeswehr and in industry. This was ordered by the country’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

It is stated that the audit will allow you to quickly transfer tanks to Ukraine if such a decision is finally approved.

Germany’s defense minister said the country was “ready to act quickly” if allies reached a consensus on supplying tanks to Ukraine.

“There is no consensus on the delivery of Leopard tanks,” Pistorius told reporters.