No promise of tanks for Ukraine from Scholz

STORY: Asked by a participant at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos why Germany was “hesitant” to send Leopards to Ukraine, Scholz said “our howitzer and the multi rocket launcher we delivered are very effective in this war helping Ukraine defend its integrity and sovereignty.”

Berlin has so far resisted providing the modern tanks or allowing partners which have them to do so, saying Western tanks should only be supplied to Ukraine if there is agreement among Kyiv's main allies, particularly the United States.

Scholz’s comments came two days after German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht quit.

Berlin said on Tuesday a decision on tanks would be the first item on the agenda of her successor, Boris Pistorius.

Germany's new defence minister is expected to host U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday ahead of Friday's meeting on aid for Ukraine of allies at U.S. Ramstein Air Base in southern Germany.