France could provide Ukraine with heavy tanks. What are the three conditions
After the summit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday,, that France does not rule out the possibility of providing Ukraine with Leclerc heavy tanks to help it in the war with Russia, but for this certain conditions must be met, reports Agerpres.
"We have asked the defence minister to deal with it, nothing is ruled out," Macron told a joint press conference with Chancellor Scholz after the Franco-German ministerial council held in Paris.
But he stated three conditions for this - sending such tanks to the Ukrainian army should not lead to an escalation of the conflict, Ukrainian soldiers should be prepared to use them and the capabilities of the French army should not be affected.
A decision on sending heavy tanks to Ukraine will be coordinated with allies, including Germany, in discussions that will continue in the coming days and weeks, Macron said.
France has already announced that it is providing Ukraine with AMX-10 light tanks, without specifying the number. According to a military source quoted by the EFE agency, France has a total of about 400 tanks of this type, but only about half are operational, the rest being used as a source of spare parts and components.
At this time, Ukraine insists on receiving heavy tanks, in order to break through the Russian defensive lines, the Soviet-designed tanks it currently has being insufficient. Kiev particularly wants German Leopard tanks, but Berlin has so far been reluctant to offer them or accept their transfer by other states.
According to Reuters, Germany would agree to provide Leopard tanks if the United States in turn sends its own Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which Washington refuses, citing logistical and maintenance difficulties. Asked about this condition at the press conference with Macron, Chancellor Scholz avoided answering.
