Germany, the USA and other allies want to support Ukraine in the war against the Russian attackers with more than 100 Western-style battle tanks. Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised the government in Kyiv 14 Leopard 2 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden announced the delivery of 31 M1 Abrams.

However, Scholz also drew red lines for further military support for Ukraine: He ruled out the delivery of combat aircraft or the deployment of ground troops. He promised in the Bundestag that he would continue to ensure that Germany and NATO were not drawn into the war. "Trust me, trust the federal government," he said.

Ukraine has been demanding the delivery of Western-style battle tanks for months, and the first official request came just a week after the war began in early March last year. With the new weapon systems, the government in Kyiv hopes to be able to go back on the offensive on the front in eastern Ukraine and recapture more territory from Russia.

Leopard, Abrams, Challenger: Three tanks against Putin's troops

Three different main battle tanks of Western design should help:

- The German Leopard 2: Germany provides 14 examples of the Leopard 2A6, Poland also 14 of the slightly older 2A4. Together with allies, there should be a total of about 90 Leopard tanks.

- The US tank M1 Abrams: The US wants to deliver 31 pieces, which should come from the industry. Because of this, it can take months for them to arrive in the war zone. The delivery will "take some time," said US President Joe Biden. "The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world, but they are also extremely complex to operate and maintain," Biden said Wednesday.

- The British Challenger 2: The British were the first country to pledge their main battle tank a few days ago. Like Germany, you want to deliver 14 copies.

Leopards are due to arrive in three months

According to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), the Leopard tanks from Bundeswehr stocks could be in Ukraine in about three months. The support package also includes training, logistics and ammunition. Germany wants to start training Ukrainian soldiers on the Leopard in just a few days.

Scholz said Germany was acting on the principle of making what is necessary possible while providing military support to Ukraine while avoiding an escalation into a Nato-Russia confrontation. "We will continue to observe this principle." He asked for the trust of citizens concerned about the decision: "Because we act in an internationally coordinated manner, we will continue to ensure that this support is possible without the risks for our country growing in the wrong direction."

Regarding calls from Ukraine to send fighter jets, he said: "I made it clear very early on that it was not about fighter jets and I am doing that here too." He added: "Under no circumstances will we send ground troops."

Poland may deliver - Pistorius calls decision "historic"

As a production country, Germany plays a key role in the supply of Leopard tanks. If other states want to pass this on, the federal government must approve it. Scholz has been under pressure since Tuesday because of an official export application from the Polish government, which has now been approved.

Pistorius called the decision on Wednesday "historic" because it happened in a coordinated manner in a "highly explosive situation in Ukraine". But he also said: "That's no reason to celebrate", he had great understanding for those who were worried. "But one thing is clear, we won't become a party to the war, we will see to that."

US emphasizes coordinated decision with Germany

The USA emphasized that the decision was coordinated with Germany. The announcement of the same-day delivery as Berlin demonstrates that "the United States and Europe continue to work together to support Ukraine," a senior US official said. Washington very much appreciates Germany's commitment to the Leopard tanks for Kyiv. US President Biden thanked Scholz for his "leadership" and "unwavering commitment" in supporting Ukraine. Germany has really made a strong case, the Chancellor is a strong voice for unity and a close friend, said Biden in Washington.

Russia calls decision "extremely dangerous"

The Russian embassy in Berlin called the German decision "extremely dangerous". Ambassador Sergei Nechayev was quoted as saying in a press release that they are raising the conflict to a new level of confrontation. The decision contradicts the announcements by German politicians that they do not want to be drawn into the conflict. According to Nechayev, German tanks would again be sent to the "Eastern Front", which would mean the death not only of Russian soldiers but also of the civilian population.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Scholz and Germany for the promised delivery of battle tanks, as he wrote on Twitter after a phone call with Scholz. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attested to Scholz and Germany's leadership: "At a critical moment in the Russian war, you can help Ukraine defend itself, win and assert itself as an independent nation," he wrote on Twitter.

Left and AfD fear escalation - FDP and Greens relieved

The FDP and the Greens, Chancellor Scholz's coalition partners, who had pushed for a decision on the delivery, reacted with relief. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) spoke of the right decision, which was not easy. People would die with the tanks, but the deaths of others would be prevented and the war might end at some point. CDU leader Friedrich Merz also supported the decision, but at the same time accused Scholz of hesitation. What remains is the image of someone driven who has hesitated for too long.

Left and AfD condemned the step against it. Scholz is dragging Germany further and further into the war, left-wing faction leader Amira Mohamed Ali tweeted on Wednesday. AfD co-head Alice Weidel described the provision of Leopard tanks for Ukraine as a "fatal decision".

Portugal announces Leopard decision for coming days

Portugal's government wants to decide "in the coming days" on the delivery of Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine. Defense Minister Helena Carreiras said according to the Lusa news agency. First of all, it had to be examined what effects the sale of such tanks would have on the defense capability of the Portuguese army. "But there is no doubt: Portugal will participate and help Ukraine to expand its capabilities in the field of Leopard 2 tanks," Carreiras said, according to Lusa. The minister did not confirm a report by the Correio da Manhã newspaper that Portugal was preparing to deliver four Leopard tanks.