German Leopard tanks to arrive in Ukraine by early April, Pistorius says

This was announced by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Spiegel quoted him as saying.

"I have no indication that they will be late," he said, adding that the date of arrival of the tanks has already been determined.

At the same time, he refused to answer the question whether the German government hesitated to allow the tanks to be sent to Ukraine.

"We did not hesitate, we were negotiating," Pistorius said.

He added that everyone should be satisfied with the decision, as Germany is doing what is required.

• During the 8th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in Ramstein on January 20, the provision of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine was not agreed upon.

• On January 22, it became known that the United Kingdom was in favor of an international agreement to provide Ukraine with German tanks. On the same day, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Warsaw was open to forming a coalition with countries that were willing to give Ukraine some of their Leopard 2s without Germany's participation if Berlin did not agree to provide Ukraine with the tanks.

• On January 23, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced that it would send Germany an official request for permission to transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine in the coming days.

• The German military-industrial concern Rheinmetall said it was ready to transfer 139 Leopard tanks to Ukraine as soon as the government gives permission.

• On January 24, officials from the US president's entourage noted that the US president is ready to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine to encourage Germany to transfer the Leopards.

• On January 25, Biden announced that the United States would provide Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks. Also on January 25, Germany announced that Ukraine would receive 14 Leopard 2 tanks from the Bundeswehr. In addition, Germany has allowed partner countries to provide Ukrainian defenders with German tanks from their own stocks.

• On January 26, it became known that the military-industrial company Rheinmetall would supply Ukraine with shells for Leopard tanks.