The German Federal Government confirmed this week that it has not yet received a formal request from the German government to consider sending Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. A government spokesperson stated that the situation remains unchanged from what the chancellor has previously conveyed. The remarks were made during a weekly press conference in Berlin, where questions from reporters were addressed by the spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit.
Following a report published by the Madrid-based newspaper EL PAÍS last Sunday, it was suggested that Ukraine might receive German-made Leopard 2 A4 tanks. During an official visit to Latvia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated that Berlin had no definitive information confirming such a request, while Madrid neither confirmed nor denied the claim. The matter remained unresolved as events unfolded.
EL PERIÓDICO, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, and Scholz’s spokesperson were questioned about the conditions under which a hypothetical formal request would be considered by Spain. They chose not to speculate. Hebestreit noted that Berlin would review any concrete request if and when it appeared on the table, adding that no further comment could be offered at the moment.
Authorization left
Leopard tanks that Spain would be prepared to transfer to Ukraine have long been governed by a system requiring prior authorization from the German federal government. The standard procedure includes a pledge often referred to as the/enverbleibsklausel, which mandates Berlin’s approval if the initial buyer intends to resell or retransfer the weapons to a third party. The practical effect is to ensure that sensitive armaments do not move into destabilizing situations, potentially creating diplomatic strains for Germany in crisis zones.
The Federal Security Council is the body appointed to grant or deny such requests from other nations. It operates within the federal government and is chaired by the chancellor. In this instance, Olaf Scholz would lead the discussions, with ministers from Foreign Affairs, Interior, Finance, Economy, and Cooperation and Development taking part as needed. An observer from the German armed forces is also noted in official descriptions from the Federal Center for Political Education. Officials emphasized that while the decree may be formal, the overarching aim is to ensure that any transfers align with security and alliance commitments. Official voices suggested Ukraine should receive support during difficult times, but cautions about the tactical deployment of heavy weapons remain a topic of debate.
The coalition governing Germany, made up of the Social Democrats, the Greens, and the Liberal party, has occasionally shown divergent views on armed support for Ukraine. While some voices advocate for robust military assistance, others urge restraint on the deployment of heavy weapons and reject proposals for a no-fly zone led by NATO. These tensions reflect the broader risks and uncertainties that accompany large-scale security decisions among allied states during an ongoing conflict.
Incomparable
If Spain formally requests authorization to send Leopard 2 A4 tanks to Ukraine, Madrid would become the first NATO member to contemplate providing such heavy weapons for Kyiv. A government spokesperson reiterated that multiple countries have already deployed tanks, whether of Western manufacture or Soviet-era origin, and that the introduction of Leopard 2s would represent a meaningful shift in capabilities. The statement underscored the potential impact on regional defense dynamics and alliance signaling.
Spain is preparing for a NATO summit scheduled in the near future, with discussions anticipated on June 29 and 30. The summit’s stated goal is to strengthen collective defenses across allied territories, and participation from Berlin is expected to shape conversations on weapon transfers, alliance credibility, and deterrence strategies. Observers anticipate further developments on the topic as the meeting approaches and the dialogue among member states continues to evolve.