Schmyhal visits Scholz: Kyiv demands direct delivery of German battle tanks

Chancellor Scholz has so far refused to deliver main battle tanks directly to Ukraine.

Schmyhal visits Scholz: Kyiv demands direct delivery of German battle tanks

Chancellor Scholz has so far refused to deliver main battle tanks directly to Ukraine. Shortly before his visit to Berlin, Ukrainian Prime Minister Schmyhal is demanding exactly that. He is also hoping for further help.

Before his visit to Germany, the Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal called on the federal government to use battle tanks to ward off the Russian attackers. "We need a change in the philosophy of arms deliveries. By that I mean: modern battle tanks should also be delivered," said Schmyhal in an interview. "We expect the USA to supply us with their Abrams tanks and from Germany we expect Leopard 2. These are the modern tanks that Ukraine needs on the battlefield."

Schmyhal is expected in Berlin on Saturday. On Sunday he will be received by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the Chancellery. He is the highest-ranking Ukrainian politician to visit Berlin since the Russian war of aggression began a good six months ago. After initial hesitation, Germany has delivered a number of heavy weapons to Ukraine in recent months: ten heavy artillery pieces of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 type, 15 anti-aircraft tanks, three multiple rocket launchers and three armored recovery vehicles.

"Germany has made immense progress in terms of supporting Ukraine with weapons," said Schmyhal. In the beginning only protective equipment or helmets were delivered, today it is the most modern weapons. "But of course it is our wish to get more weapons and equipment as soon as possible."

The direct delivery of battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles is still taboo for Scholz. No other NATO country has so far handed over such weapon systems to Ukraine. However, Spain has offered German-made Leopard 2 tanks. Schmyhal is now pushing to get the leopards directly from the country of manufacture. He also asks Scholz for more modern IRIS-T air defense systems. The federal government has promised four copies. According to Schmyhal, Ukraine needs twelve, three times as many.

The Ukrainian head of government also has high hopes for Germany in terms of financial aid. "We also expect Chancellor Scholz to play a leading role when it comes to further aid from the International Monetary Fund or the EU Commission. Without international support, Ukraine's economy is at risk of hyperinflation."

Schmyhal called on the people in Germany not to lose sight of what was actually happening in the war in Ukraine, despite their own problems with the consequences of the war. "We stand for freedom. I don't think you can get tired of fighting for freedom," he said. "We are all in the sights of this regime. We must stand together and fight together for freedom in Europe."