US and Germany hold talks on Leopard tanks on the eve of Ramstein, but cannot reach agreement

CNN reports with reference to informed sources.

At the bilateral meeting of heads of two countries' Defense Ministries, no agreement was reached on the transfer of tanks to Ukraine.

"US officials familiar with the situation told CNN on Thursday that the tank question is still undecided ahead of Friday’s meeting, and that it would be surprising if Germany changed its mind, despite Austin’s private pressure campaign," CNN noted.

Although, as a senior US official said, before Austin's meeting with Pistorius in Berlin, US was "very optimistic and confident that they will make progress" on transfer of tanks.

Next meeting of "Ramstein" will be held on January 20.

Additional information: Ukraine Defense Contact Group, or Ramstein platform (after the name of the meeting place airbase) is a meeting of international allies who support defense of Ukraine in war with Russia. Currently, it unites defense ministers of more than 50 countries.

• Poland intends to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, regardless of what Berlin's decision will be as a country producing this equipment.

• Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said that several countries will announce the transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine on January 20, and their number will reach hundreds.