The federal authorities now needs to look at it with “due urgency”. But Poland needs extra: the EU ought to contribute to the supply prices.
Poland has formally utilized to the federal authorities to have the ability to ship “Leopard 2” battle tanks to Ukraine. Germany has “already received our request,” Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak defined on Twitter:
He additionally referred to as on the federal government in Berlin to affix the coalition of nations supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks. “This is our common cause, because it’s about the security of all of Europe,” mentioned the minister.
If mandatory, Poland would act with out permission
Poland is placing strain on its allies within the matter. The week earlier than final, President Andrzej Duda mentioned the federal government in Warsaw had determined at hand over 14 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine. In order to ship tanks manufactured in Germany to different international locations, the approval of the federal authorities is at all times required.
On Monday, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki introduced that he would ask Germany for this approval. If Poland in the end doesn’t obtain approval from Germany, they wish to act inside the framework of a small coalition, Morawiecki mentioned. They will then “relocate tanks to Ukraine together with others”.
Berlin needs to verify shortly
A authorities spokesman confirmed receipt of the applying and knowledgeable the dpa news company on request that the federal authorities now wished to look at the Polish export utility. Such functions could be “examined with the necessary urgency in line with established procedures and arms export guidelines,” he mentioned.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared on Sunday night that Germany wouldn’t block the doable export of “Leopard” tanks from different international locations to Ukraine. “At the moment the question hasn’t been asked, but if we were asked, we wouldn’t stand in the way,” she informed French tv channel LCI on the time. In doing so, she answered the query of what would occur if Poland delivered “Leopard” tanks to Ukraine.
Poland needs to ask the EU for compensation
Poland additionally needs to contain the EU in supplying the tanks to Ukraine. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki mentioned at a press convention: “We will apply to the European Union for a refund. It will be another goodwill test.”
