Zelensky criticises reported German hesitation on supplying tanks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised hesitation by Germany about supplying its fashionable Leopard tanks, with stories saying Berlin will solely present them if the US provides its Abrams tanks as properly.

“There are occasions the place we should not hesitate or should not evaluate. When somebody says ‘I’ll give tanks if another person may even share tanks’,” Zelensky informed an viewers in Davos by videolink.

“I do not suppose that is the best technique to go together with.”

He additionally reiterated his intention of reclaiming Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, as he known as on his Western companions to supply him with extra weaponry.

“Our goal is to liberate all of our territories,” he stated, talking in Ukrainian. “Crimea is our land, our territory, our sea, and our mountains. Give us your weapons and we’ll deliver our land again.”

Ukraine’s Western allies and arms suppliers are set to satisfy on Friday on the US-run Ramstein base in Germany.

“We’d like all of the energy there’s on the market as a result of we’re preventing in opposition to all of this tyranny,” he stated, including: “We cannot simply do it (the combat) with motivation and morale.”

He in contrast weapons to a “vaccine in opposition to Russian tyranny.”

Requested about preventing on the frontlines, he stated there was “no stagnation” however there was a “slowdown” throughout the winter.

Zelensky was additionally requested whether or not a helicopter crash that killed the nation’s inside minister and 13 others on Wednesday close to Kyiv was an “accident or one thing extra sinister.”

“The investigation is ongoing. There are a number of theories and I am not authorised to speak about any of them till the investigation is completed,” Zelensky replied.