LEOPARD for Ukraine: Poland as icebreaker?

As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Poland is considering fulfilling a request from Ukraine to donate its Leopard 2 battle tanks manufactured in Germany. There is currently no official confirmation of this information.

This is the passage documented in the Wall Street Journal:

At the beginning of the war, Poland donated more than 240 modernized tanks of Soviet design to Ukraine. Now, according to a senior Polish diplomat, Poland is considering fulfilling a request from Ukraine to donate its Leopard tanks manufactured in Germany.

“They are really considering giving everything to help Ukraine,” said a Czech official closely involved in aid for delivering Western weapons to Ukraine, confirming the request.

The Leopard tanks are much more heavily armored and better protected against anti-tank weapons than the vehicles that France, Germany, and the United States have offered so far.

Poland has more than 240 Leopard tanks, enough for two armored brigades, and plans to eventually give them all away, according to Slawomir Debski, Director of the Polish Institute of International Affairs, a Warsaw think tank close to the Polish government. The pace at which the tanks could be provided to Ukraine will depend on how quickly Poland receives replacement tanks ordered from manufacturers in South Korea and the United States. Berlin would also need to give its approval.

“It’s not a question of whether, but when,” Debski said, adding that Western reluctance to provide tanks was finally easing after months of diplomatic pressure. “This is exactly what Poland has been advocating for many months.”

When Poland donates its modern Leopard 2PL tanks, the German debate over whether to deliver old Leopard 1 or 2A4 tanks will also come to an end. HERE all information about the Leopard 2PL.

“U.S., Allies Say Armored Vehicles Will Give Ukraine’s Troops an Edge” – here the whole story in the Wall Street Journal