Germany responds to Poland’s accusations related to Ukraine

German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters on June 25 that Germany could take a long time to produce heavy equipment without Poland want to receive.

Earlier, on May 24, Polish President Andrzej Duda told German news agency Die Welt that Berlin had not replenished Poland’s stockpile in time after Warsaw “weakened” its military potential by sending “a large number” of tanks to Ukraine. Most of Poland’s tanks are German-made and Warsaw wants Berlin to send other tanks, the Polish leader added.

“The federal government is confused. Berlin has taken note of Mr. Duda’s criticisms but that is not true,” spokesman Hebestreit said, responding to the Polish president’s comments.

According to a German government spokesman, Poland is said to have specifically requested the tank The most modern Leopard 2A7. But Germany itself owns a relatively small number of these heavy equipment, and the production of additional models will take a long time.

The German official also pointed to similar swaps with Eastern European countries. The agreements, he said, involve Germany sending some upgraded Leopard 2 tanks to its partners to replace equipment sent to Ukraine, but Germany has never promised to supply Leopard 2A7 models. most modern.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock discussed the matter with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on May 24. The two ministers talked about measures to work together to clear up all “uncertainties”, Ms. Baerbock said after the meeting.

Foreign Minister Baerbock argued that Germany cannot simply deliver heavy military equipment to Ukraine or elsewhere “with the push of a button or with the snap of a finger”.

At the time, Foreign Minister Rau said he had “taken note” of the German statement, adding that Ms. Baerbock had explained why Berlin could not immediately fulfill its commitment. The Polish minister acknowledged that Germany has the right to “solve the problem”.

Germany had previously made a number of swap agreements with Eastern European countries to supply arms to Ukraine. At the end of April, Germany and Slovenia agreed on an agreement in which Berlin would replace the Soviet-made battle tanks that Slovenia sent to Kiev.

Last week, Germany announced another such swap, this time with the Czech. Prague is expecting to receive 15 Leopard 2 tanks from the German stockpile in exchange for the delivery of tanks to Ukraine.