“Leopard 2”: Von der Leyen for tanks to Ukraine

EU leaders back calls to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Commission President von der Leyen also positioned herself accordingly. The alliance also agreed to work more closely with NATO.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has spoken out in favor of supplying “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine. “I think Ukraine should get the military equipment it needs and can use to defend its homeland,” she said. This includes modern anti-aircraft systems, but also other modern military equipment.

At a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU Council President Charles Michel, von der Leyen asked whether she would support states that are considering supplying western main battle tanks such as the “Leopard 2”. In addition to countries such as Poland and Spain, this also includes Great Britain.

Ukrainians are not only defending their country, but also the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, fundamental rights and international law, the Commission President added. That is why she has been taking this position since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression.

Tank deliveries dependent on Germany

The issue of tank deliveries is particularly explosive because countries such as Spain and Poland are not allowed to hand over their “Leopard 2” tanks to the Ukraine without the permission of the manufacturing country Germany. So far, the federal government does not want to deliver any “Leopard 2” tanks itself. In Great Britain the supply of main battle tanks of the “Challenger 2” type is under discussion.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg pointed out that talks at the US military base in Ramstein next week will deal with further arms deliveries to Ukraine. Accordingly, discussions should be held with the Ukrainian defense minister about what types of weapons are needed and how the allies can make these weapons available. Stoltenberg emphasized that it is not just about new weapon systems, but also about ammunition and spare parts for systems that have already been delivered. EU Council President Michel added that he shares von der Leyen’s position on the tank deliveries.

The EU and NATO want to cooperate more closely

Against the background of the Russian war of aggression and China’s power politics, Stoltenberg, von der Leyen and Michel also agreed on closer cooperation between NATO and the EU. A corresponding declaration aims, among other things, to improve cooperation in the protection of critical infrastructure, such as energy and water supplies.

In the text, for example, dealing with information manipulation and interference from abroad as well as the security policy consequences of climate change are mentioned as areas for increased cooperation. Global warming is considered a risk to peace and security because it threatens the livelihoods of millions of people. Even more humanitarian catastrophes, flight and migration as well as increasing conflicts over resources such as water and land could be the result.

As security threats and challenges evolve in scope and scope, cooperation will be taken to the next level, the text said. To this end, the cooperation will be expanded and deepened.

China threat addressed for the first time

For the first time, possible threats from China are also addressed in a statement on EU-NATO cooperation. China’s growing self-confidence and policies pose challenges that need to be addressed, the text said. However, Russia’s war against Ukraine is cited as the greatest security threat.

The statement builds on two previous joint statements from 2016 and 2018. In these, for example, it was agreed to organize coordinated exercises and to strengthen cooperation in the field of cyber security.