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Austria refuses to train Ukrainian soldiers to operate Leopard 2 tanks — TV

Citing Austria’s constitutional neutrality, Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner called the issue of support for Ukraine "a sovereign decision of each state within the framework of its own laws"

VIENNA, February 13. /TASS/. Austria will not train Ukrainian soldiers to operate German-made Leopard 2 tanks, Austria’s ORF television channel said on Monday, citing Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.

Austria’s top defense official reiterated Vienna’s refusal to provide training to Ukrainian troops in a written statement to the television channel. Citing Austria’s constitutional neutrality, she called the issue of support for Ukraine "a sovereign decision of each state within the framework of its own laws."

Austria’s armed forces have one tank battalion of 48 Leopard 2 tanks. These tanks are also used to train soldiers from Hungary and the Czech Republic.

On January 25, the United States announced its plans to supply 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Kiev, while the German government confirmed its intention to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own reserves and to allow re-export from other countries. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the Leopard tanks will be sent to Ukraine by the end of March. Plans to send tanks to Ukraine were also announced by the United Kingdom, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and France.

Kiev expects to receive up to 140 tanks from 12 countries in its first shipment.

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