Germany SAYS Tank Delivery To Ukraine Needs Allied Approval, President Zelensky: Time To Become An Weapons

The allied defense minister's meeting in Ramstein Germany. (Source: NATO)

JAKARTA - Germany said it would need approval from allies to give the green light for their delivery of tanks to Ukraine to fend off Moscow's invasion, eliminating Kyov's hopes of a swift decision.

Defense ministers NATO and other countries met in Germany on Friday, amid warnings Russia would soon revive its nearly 11-month invasion to capture eastern and southern Ukraine.

The United States and Finland announced a large new military aid package prior to the meeting at Ramstein Air Base, where the focus is whether Germany will allow countries in Europe that use Leopard 2 tanks to re-export them to Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he could not say when there would be a decision on the tank, but Germany was ready to move quickly if there was a consensus among allies.

"All pros and cons must be weighed very carefully," Pistorius said, adding the matter had been discussed on Friday, but no decision had yet been made.

Pistorius did not say which allies, if any, disagreed to supply tanks, or provided details on what he saw as pros and cons of such policies.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government appears reluctant to approve re-export of tanks for fear of provoking Russia.

Several Western officials also signaled concerns that Russia might capture Western advanced weapons and steal its technology.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky, speaking at the start of the Ramstein meeting, thanked allies for their support, but said more was needed and faster.

"We have to accelerate. Time must be our weapon. The Kremlin must lose," said President Zelensky, which previously implied Germany was detaining other countries from sending their tanks.

On the same occasion, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Russia was rearranging, recruiting and trying to revive its troops.

"This is not a time to slow down. This is the time to dig deeper. Ukrainians are watching us," he said, without specifically mentioning the tanks.

It is known that Kyiv and Moscow mainly rely on Soviet-era T-72 tanks in wars that have long been considered outdated. Hundreds have been destroyed in the ongoing war.