China News Agency, Berlin, January 25 (Reporter Ma Xiuxiu) German Chancellor Scholz announced on the 25th that Germany will further increase its military support to Ukraine and has decided to provide Ukraine with "Leopard 2" main battle tanks.

At the same time, as the producer of the "Leopard" tank, Germany also allows third countries that own the "Leopard" tank to "quickly" provide the tank to Ukraine.

  German government spokesman Steffen Heberstreiter pointed out that this is the result of intensive consultations between Germany and its closest European and international partners.

  As a first step, Germany will provide a company of "Leopard 2 A6" main battle tanks from the Bundeswehr inventory, a total of 14 vehicles, Hebeschreiter said.

Other European countries will also provide Ukraine with "Leopard 2" main battle tanks.

In addition, the Ukrainian army will soon begin training in tank operations in Germany.

In addition to training, Germany will provide support in logistics, ammunition and system maintenance.

  According to German media reports, the decision to supply Ukraine with Leopard tanks marks a major change in the German government's position.

Ukraine and some NATO countries had previously urged Germany to provide the tanks.

Scholz has repeatedly emphasized in private recently that unless the United States is willing to provide U.S.-made tanks to Ukraine, Germany will not provide Ukraine with German-made tanks, nor will it allow third parties to transfer German-made tanks to Ukraine.

  On the same day, Scholz defended Germany's decision to provide Ukraine with "Leopard 2" main battle tanks in the Bundestag.

He said Germany would not make decisions alone on military support for Ukraine.

Germany is acting on the principle of avoiding an escalation of the situation into a confrontation between NATO and Russia, while supporting Ukraine as much as possible.

  Scholz also pointed out that Germany will not provide Ukraine with fighter jets, send combat troops, and will not set up a no-fly zone in Ukraine, and this position will not change.

  Responding to some in Germany's concerns about escalating the situation, Scholz said: "Trust me, trust the federal government. We will ensure that this support continues to be possible without increasing the risk that our country will go in the wrong direction."

  Scholz also had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the same day and exchanged views on the political, military and humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

He reiterated Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine and will continue to strengthen its military support for Ukraine in close coordination with European and international partners.

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