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(ANSA-AFP) - BERLIN, JAN 25 - Germany on Wednesday approved
the delivery of Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, after weeks
of pressure from Kyiv and many allies. Berlin will provide a
company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from the Bundeswehr stocks and
is also granting approval for other European countries to send
tanks from their own stocks to Ukraine, government spokesman
Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement. "The aim is to quickly
assemble two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine,"
he said. Training of Ukrainian forces on using the tanks will
"begin quickly" in Germany. The package agreed after intensive
talks with Ukraine's allies also includes logistics, ammunition
and maintenance for the battle tanks. "This decision follows our
well-known line of supporting Ukraine to the best of our
abilities," said Chancellor Olaf Scholz. (ANSA-AFP).
