The Netherlands might buy 18 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany for Ukraine

This was announced by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

"We have leased them, which means we can buy them, which means we can give them away for free," he said.

In addition, Rutte emphasized that he understands Ukraine's need for Western tanks, but added that such a step makes sense only in coordination with other countries, such as Finland and Portugal, but there is no decision yet.

According to the head of the Dutch government, the decision to supply Leopard tanks is now up to the German government. If Germany refuses, the Netherlands and other countries will have to decide on the supply of tanks on a bilateral basis.

"But we are not at that stage yet, and I do not want to put pressure on Germany," Rutte added.

• Earlier, 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.

• Ukraine has agreed to train its tank crews on German Leopard 2 and British Challenger 2 tanks, which will begin soon.

• On January 22, the United Kingdom announced it supports an international agreement to provide Ukraine with German tanks.

• As of January 22, 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 2 tanks without Germany's participation if Berlin did not agree to provide Ukraine with these 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 is ready to transfer 139 Leopard tanks to Ukraine as soon as the government gives permission.

• Today, on January 24, media have reported that US President Joe Biden is ready to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine to encourage Germany to supply Leopard tanks.

• Following the latest negotiations, Ukraine expects to receive about 100 Leopard tanks from 12 countries.