Ukrainian military go to Germany to train on Leopard 2 tanks

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said this during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov at the Military Media Center.

“Today I had the honor of accompanying your military to train on Leopard 2. I admire the speed with which the Ukrainians are trained and acquire knowledge. Weapons systems are working effectively for Ukraine in this war of aggression by Russia. This applies to Marder, NASAMS, and Patriot. It also shows how well Ukrainian soldiers are working,” Pistorius said.

During a meeting with Ukrainian military personnel who are beginning to master Leopard tanks, the German Defense Minister noted that the experience of Ukrainian defenders is important for his country's armed forces. “Therefore, during the training of our military, we will also exchange experience, as the knowledge and skills of Ukrainian servicemen are very valuable and useful,” he said.

“I am sure that you, the soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, will feel the hospitality of Germany. You will be trained by the best officers and instructors of the German Armed Forces. I see confidence and determination on your faces. This is a very strong impression for me,” Boris Pistorius addressed the Ukrainian soldiers.

The German Defense Minister assured that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in its struggle for independence and restoration of territorial integrity. He emphasized that it was a great honor for him to be in Kyiv for the first time as German Defense Minister and added that he and Reznikov had discussed “real needs and their solutions.”

“Our relationship has already become a relationship of trust. 14 Leopard 2 tanks for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is another contribution of Germany to help Ukraine. We discussed how to speed up and increase the production of ammunition for tanks and air defense systems. We focused on the supply of the necessary weapons and, together with our European partners, Leopard A1 tanks. There will be 20-25 of them by the summer, about 80 by the end of the year, and more than 100 vehicles by 2024. Germany is doing everything possible to support Ukraine's Armed Forces, because we are on your side,” the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.