Europe 1 with AFP 3:31 p.m., February 4, 2023, modified at 3:31 p.m., February 4, 2023
On the 345th day of the Russian invasion, Portugal announced that it was ready to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
“In due time, we will be able to make our contribution to this collective effort aimed at providing Ukraine with the best means of defending itself,” Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced.
THE ESSENTIAL
Portugal is willing to send Leopard 2 heavy tanks to Ukraine but must first work with Germany to restore some of its armor to working order, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Saturday.
"This logistical operation is underway and we are working very closely with Germany. In due course, we will be able to contribute to this collective effort to provide Ukraine with the best means to defend itself," he told the Lusa agency, on the sidelines of a trip to the Central African Republic.
Information to remember:
Portugal is willing to send Leopard 2 tanks to Russia
France and Italy announced the future delivery of a surface-to-air defense system to kyiv, scheduled for spring
After a green light from Berlin at the end of January, several Western countries promised to deliver German-made Leopard 2 tanks to kyiv.
The number of armored vehicles that Lisbon could provide "will be announced in due course", indicated Mr. Costa, adding that the European countries concerned wanted to be able to deliver this armament "before the end of March".
The weekly
Expresso
reported last week that more than half of the Portuguese army's 37 Leopard tanks were not in working order.
“Some are not operational and, for this reason, we must work with those who produce them” to be able to supply tanks to Ukraine without compromising the capacities of Portugal, confirmed the Prime Minister.