The French government is working on an option with a possible shipment of AMX-56 Leclerc main battle tanks to Ukraine.
Politico reports this with reference to an unnamed representative of the French authorities, Censor.NET informs with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.
“This is a difficult issue, and it has not yet been resolved in Paris. But we are thinking about it,” the source said.
He noted that the situation could be clarified by a joint meeting of the Cabinets of France and Germany scheduled for Sunday.
Earlier, the Elysee Palace announced that French President Emmanuel Macron promised to supply Kyiv with “French-made tanks”. The French mass media clarified that it is about AMX-10 RC machines – heavy armored vehicles, which are also classified as wheeled tanks.
Western media specified that although Poland and Finland expressed their desire to supply Ukraine with German-made Leopard-2 tanks, for this they need to obtain Berlin’s permission due to restrictions on the export of weapons approved by Germany.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said this week that he is consulting with allies about a possible transfer of tanks to Ukraine, and any announcements in this area must be coordinated with partners.
For his part, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habek noted that it would be easier for Berlin to decide on the supply of tanks if they first hand over their tanks to the United States.
Politico reported with reference to sources that M1 Abrams tanks will not be included in the next package of military aid to Ukraine, which the US authorities plan to announce on Friday.
