According to Andriy Melnyk, Kiev needs Germany to take on long-term commitments regarding military support for Ukraine in the coming yearsBERLIN, October 15.
/tass/. The former ambassador of Ukraine to Germany Andriy Melnyk proposed to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic Olaf Scholz to form a tank alliance in Europe in order to establish early deliveries of Leopard 2 tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Kiev. Melnik stated this in an interview published on Saturday with the newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
"Now we need to get everything that can be delivered quickly as soon as possible: Leopard 2 and Marder tanks, more artillery and ammunition. This is the main priority," the former ambassador believes. "We are asking German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to form a European tank alliance. There are 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks in ten countries. If each of these states transfers about 10% to Ukraine, we will be able to form an army of 200 or more tanks in order to liberate the occupied territories faster," he claimed.
According to Melnik, Kiev needs Germany to make long-term commitments regarding military support for Ukraine in the coming years, especially the Navy and Air Force. "Because German ships, corvettes, frigates and submarines are the best in the world. The same applies to the Air Force. Everything has to be ordered for years ahead, because the waiting times for heavy military equipment are long," he explained.
In July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Melnyk, who allowed himself scandalous statements and expressed dissatisfaction with Berlin's policy in terms of the volume of military and financial assistance to Kiev. Earlier it was reported that Melnik, who left Germany on Saturday, may take the post of Deputy Foreign Minister. However, the Government of Ukraine has not yet made a final decision on this matter.
