Germany was also reportedly reluctant to deliver its own tanks unless the U.S. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said as recently as Tuesday that Germany had to assess the situation further, as well as evaluate its own tank inventory, industry stocks and supply logistics and maintenance. Berlin is seen to be wary that Moscow could perceive the provision of tanks as an escalatory step.

The decision to allow the export of German tanks to Ukraine comes after months of deliberation. Germany said it will issue the appropriate transfer permits to partner countries that want to 'quickly deliver Leopard 2 tanks from their stocks to Ukraine.' 'In addition to training, the package will also include logistics, ammunition and system maintenance,' it added. The training of the Ukrainian crews is to begin quickly in Germany, the statement noted. Other European partners will also hand over Leopard-2 tanks. As a first step, Germany will supply a company with 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks. Germany said its goal was to 'quickly assemble two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine. We are acting in a closely coordinated manner internationally,' the chancellor said. 'This decision follows our well-known line of supporting Ukraine to the best of our ability. In a government statement, Scholz said that Germany would continue to increase military support for Ukraine and would provide the Ukrainian armed forces with Leopard 2s as a 'result of intensive consultations that took place with Germany's closest European and international partners,' according to a NBC News translation. Personal Loans for 670 Credit Score or Lower Personal Loans for 580 Credit Score or Lower Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit

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