All news

Czech Republic cannot supply Kiev with Leopard 2 tanks pledged by Germany — PM

On May 18, 2022, the German Defense Ministry announced a decision to supply the Czech Republic with 15 Leopard 2 A4 tanks

BERLIN, January 24. /TASS/. The Czech Republic is not going to hand over to Ukraine any German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks which Germany promised to give to Prague within the framework of the "round exchange," which stipulates that Eastern European countries supply Soviet-made weapons to Ukraine and receive military equipment from Germany in return, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said in an interview with the DPA news agency on Tuesday following his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"Currently, it is impossible to send the Leopards [to Kiev] because we need these tanks to ensure our own security," he said.

On May 18, 2022, the German Defense Ministry announced a decision to supply the Czech Republic with 15 Leopard 2 A4 tanks. Germany’s armed forces were going to train Czech troops. The Czech Republic was supposed to receive the Leopard 2 A4 tanks from Germany and send Soviet-made tanks to Ukraine. The first Leopard was delivered to Prague in December.