Netherlands considering providing Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks

The Netherlands is prepared to buy tanks it currently leases from Germany and send them to Ukraine, but is also open to other ideas, prime minister Mark Rutte told RTL Nieuws on Wednesday.

“Those talks are ongoing,” Rutte said. ‘We could also put the tanks to use in other ways, and those discussions are also taking place… we are prepared to take a decision.’

The Netherlands doesn’t own any tanks but leases 18 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany. Earlier on Tuesday, Rutte told international media in Brussels that the Netherlands can buy those tanks and give them away if necessary. It would make sense to do this together with other countries. According to the Dutch Prime Minister, the Cabinet is prepared to consider it.