Berlin instructed to check Leopard stocks in Bundeswehr and manufacturers to be ready for possible deliveries to Ukraine, - Pistorius
Pistorius said this on the sidelines of the meeting on Friday, he is quoted by the FAZ publication, Censor.NET reports with reference to "European Truth".
"There is no unanimous opinion," Pistorius said about the negotiations regarding the supply of tanks to Ukraine.
According to him, the impression that Germany blocks such a decision is false. He added that he cannot yet say what the decision will be and when it will be made.
At the same time, he made it clear that Germany is preparing to be ready to deliver Leopard 2 tanks as soon as possible if a decision is made in favor of the supply.
For this reason, he said, he ordered an inspection on his first day in office to determine the Bundeswehr's and industry's stockpiles of tanks.
The main attention during the inspection will be paid to the availability and number of tanks, as well as their compatibility with tanks and weapons that may be supplied to Ukraine by other countries.
All of this will serve as preparation for the day "that may come," Pistorius said.
When asked, he confirmed that he had no knowledge of any such review order from his predecessor, minister Christine Lambrecht, who resigned this week.
Regarding Poland, Pistorius noted that partners who have Leopard tanks are free to train Ukrainian soldiers to use them.
Pistorius did not want to answer the question of whether Germany will grant Poland and other countries a license to export German-made tanks. According to the Minister of Defense, this is Chancellor Scholz's decision.
