Germany has assured Switzerland that it will not send 25 “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine.
This confirmation came through a written commitment from Germany, as stated by Fabian Mainfisch, the spokesperson for the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
Mainfisch, speaking to Sputnik news agency, emphasized, “The message from the German Minister of Economic Affairs, Robert Habeck, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius clearly states that no combat tanks will be sent to Ukraine. Therefore, Switzerland has a written assurance from Germany that these tanks will not reach Ukraine.”
A legally binding document has been signed with Germany regarding this matter.
Earlier today, Switzerland approved the sale of 25 “Leopard 2A4” tanks to Germany, with a stipulation that they cannot be re-exported to Ukraine.
It is worth noting that on March 3, 2023, Lorenz Frischknecht, the spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection, and Sports, had mentioned that Switzerland had received a request from Germany to purchase “Leopard 2” tanks.
Reports had previously indicated that Germany had requested Switzerland to sell some of the “Leopard 2” tanks from the Swiss Army’s reserves, totaling 96, with an assurance that they would not be sent to Kyiv.
In adherence to its military neutrality principle, Switzerland had earlier rejected requests from Germany, Spain, and Denmark to re-export ammunition produced within the union to Ukraine.
This development highlights the diplomatic efforts and commitments made by Germany and Switzerland in the context of the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
