STOCKHOLM, April 20. /TASS/. Denmark and the Netherlands will jointly hand over 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, according to a statement published by the Danish Defense Ministry following a meeting of Denmark’s council on foreign policy.

"The Netherlands and Denmark today announce our intention to jointly acquire, refurbish and donate 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks for Ukraine following our successful collaboration with Germany on the supply of at least 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks. The tanks will be supplied to Ukraine beginning in early 2024 within the framework of our long-term commitments. The estimated cost of €165 mln will be evenly split between our two countries. Thus, we will jointly participate in the ‘Leopard coalition’ supported by many partners and allies," the joint statement noted.

According to a press release by the Danish Defense Ministry, the cabinet of ministers has already received the consent of the foreign policy council, and Denmark's acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen will inform his colleagues from 50 countries comprising the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) about this at the April 21 meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. "It is absolutely crucial for the hope of a peaceful and secure Europe that we do not let the Ukrainians fight the battle alone," he said.

The Danish part of the donation will be financed by the Ukraine Fund. The vast majority of legislators supported this initiative.

In February, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands also announced that they would pool resources to restore at least 100 old Leopard 1 tanks from industry stocks and supply them to Ukraine beginning as early as the next few weeks.