The Netherlands delivered more tanks and F-16s to Ukraine
Minister Wopke Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs also announced in a debate yesterday that the cabinet will look into supplying F-16 fighter jets if the government in Kiev requests it. Hoekstra said that he would look at such a request with an ‘open mind’.
No taboos
The Netherlands has already transported a number of old Soviet tanks that the Czech Republic has supplied to Ukraine. “That is certainly something we are willing to do,” defense minister Kajsa Ollongren told Bloomberg news agency in Davos, Switzerland.
In addition, Hoekstra said that there are ‘no taboos’ for supplying regular equipment. It is feared that Russia will start another major offensive in the first few months.
Leopard 2 tanks
According to Ollongren, the supply of tanks must take place within a coalition within Europe or NATO. The Netherlands itself does not have Leopard 2 tanks, but ‘rents’ eighteen from Germany.
However, the supply of Leopard 2 tanks has not yet been resolved, because Germany must give the decisive agreement in this regard. Germany made the tanks, and must give permission to other countries (such as Poland and Finland) to supply the vehicles to Ukraine.
Upper leg Ramstein
“We are waiting for Germany’s topic on this, but I am sure of trying to find a solution and sending tanks to Ukraine,” Ollongren told Bloomberg.
Germany is expected to make a decision today during the summit meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany about sending the Leopard 2 tanks. Ukraine’s allies are meeting here today to discuss military support to Kiev.