Greece will not provide Ukraine with Leopard-2 tanks
Greece has refused to provide Ukraine with Leopard-2 tanks because it needs them because of rising tensions with Turkey.
This was stated by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, reports Censor.NЕТ with reference to LIGА.
Mitsotakis reminded that Greece has provided significant assistance to Ukraine.
"We have provided significant military support to Ukraine, for example, with armored personnel carriers, but we will not provide Leopard-2 tanks for the simple reason that they are absolutely essential for our defense position," the Greek Prime Minister said.
As noted, Greece and Turkey have been arguing for decades over the sovereignty of Cyprus and control of the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Tensions between the neighboring countries are rising again now, a few months before Turkey's general elections.
"We have always made it clear that we are ready to support Ukraine, but not at the expense of our defense capabilities," Mitsotakis explained.
The Greek Prime Minister also criticized Turkey for failing to impose sanctions against Russia and refusing to ratify Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO.
Greece has the largest number of German Leopard tanks in Europe: about 350 Leopard-2 and 500 Leopard-1.
