January 25, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Tara Subramaniam, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt, Leinz Vales, Mike Hayes, Maureen Chowdhury and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 1:57 PM ET, Thu January 26, 2023
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8:34 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

Netherlands "prepared" to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, despite not owning any

From CNN's Mick Krever

Despite not currently owning any German-made Leopard 2 tanks, the Netherlands said Wednesday it is prepared to purchase tanks it currently leases in order to send them to Ukraine. 

“If it helps for the Netherlands to also participate, then we are prepared to do so,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told CNN affiliate RTL News.

The Netherlands does not own any battle tanks, having sold all of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Germany in 2018 and 2021, according to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms.

But the Netherlands does lease 18 Leopard 2A6 battle tanks from Germany. Rutte has suggested that the Netherlands could purchase these tanks outright, and then send them to Ukraine.

“Those conversations are ongoing,” Rutte said. “It could also be that people say, well, it suits us better if you use those tanks in a different manner. So that conversation is taking place.”

He said that while a decision would still have to be taken, “we have said to the Germans that we are prepared to seriously consider it.”

8:48 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

Zelensky welcomes German decision to send battle tanks

From CNN's Jo Shelley

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is “sincerely grateful” to Germany for agreeing to supply his government with its sought-after Leopard 2 battle tanks. 

Zelensky said in a tweet that he had spoken to Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the telephone.

During their phone call, Scholz told Zelensky that Germany will “further strengthen military support for Ukraine in close coordination with European and international partners,” according to a German government press office readout.

“President Zelensky thanked the Federal Chancellor for the decision to make 'Leopard 2' battle tanks available to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and to issue corresponding transfer licences to partner countries wishing to supply such tanks from their stocks to Ukraine,” it said. 

8:08 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

UK PM welcomes tank deliveries to Ukraine as "right decision" following Germany’s Leopard 2 announcement

From CNN's Sugam Pokharel in London

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the "right decision" by NATO allies to send battle tanks to Ukraine, following Germany's announcement that it will provide Kyiv with Leopard 2 tanks. 

"The right decision by NATO Allies and friends to send main battle tanks to Ukraine," tweeted Sunak. "Alongside Challenger 2s, they will strengthen Ukraine’s defensive firepower. Together, we are accelerating our efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace."

Sunak was referring to British Challenger 2 tanks. On Jan. 14, the UK government announced that it would send 12 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine as part of efforts to "intensify" support for the Ukrainian defense against Russia.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Wednesday that he was "delighted" by Germany joining the UK, France and Poland in sending Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, adding that it’s time for Russia to realize that Kyiv’s allies are “increasingly determined to help Ukraine resist” Moscow’s “barbaric and illegal invasion.” 

8:25 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

US-German relations are better than they have been for a long time, Chancellor Scholz says

From CNNs Claudia Otto in Berlin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on January 25.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on January 25. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

Germany's announcement that it will send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine comes after a diplomatic logjam with the United States, where German officials had openly stated that they would only send their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine if the US sent the M-1 Abrams tanks.

So as the German announcement comes, the US is also finalizing plans to send approximately 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, two US officials familiar with the deliberations told CNN.

With this backdrop, Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the German parliament that Berlin's relations with the US were better than they had been for a long time.

"I can tell you that the relationship between Germany and the US is on a better level than it has been for a long time. I find great agreement with the American president, who I think is a very capable, very oriented, very goal-oriented politician, especially in terms of international politics and in terms of supporting the transatlantic relationship and emphasizing good cooperation with Germany," he said Wednesday. “This is a president who is a really good partner."

CNN's Natasha Bertrand, Kylie Atwood and Oren Lieberman contributed to this reporting.

8:07 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

Spain is open to sending Leopard tanks to Ukraine, defense minister says

From CNN’s Al Goodman in Madrid 

Spain is willing to provide Ukraine with its Leopard tanks, but in coordination with the allies, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said according to Spain’s state news agency EFE.

Robles however added it was not immediately possible to determine how many of Spain’s Leopard 2 tanks might be sent to Ukraine, the news agency reported Wednesday. 

The minister also said that Spain would provide training to operate the modern battle tanks. 

Robles on Wednesday held a meeting with Spain’s top military officers from the nation’s joint command, the defense ministry said. 

Some context: Thirteen European countries, including Poland and Finland, are in possession of modern German Leopard 2 tanks, which were introduced in 1979 and have been upgraded several times since, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

Many of them have agreed to re-export some tanks to Kyiv, but require Germany’s permission. Berlin has said it will allow other countries to export the battle tank.

CNN's Rob Picheta contributed to this post.

7:50 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

Germany's approval of Leopard 2 deliveries brings conflict "to a new level," says Russian ambassador to Berlin

From CNN's Radina Gigova

Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechaev, center, attends an event hosted by the Russian Embassy to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet victory against Nazi Germany on May 9, 2022 in Berlin, Germany.
Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechaev, center, attends an event hosted by the Russian Embassy to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Soviet victory against Nazi Germany on May 9, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The decision by the German government to approve deliveries of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is "extremely dangerous" and takes the conflict "to a new level of confrontation," Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergei Nechaev said in a statement Wednesday.

"This extremely dangerous decision brings the conflict to a new level of confrontation and runs counter to German politicians' statements about FRG's [Federal Republic of Germany] reluctance to be involved in such," Nechaev said. 

"Unfortunately, this happens over and over again. Yet again, we can see that just like its closest partners, Germany is not interested in a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian crisis, has its heart set on its permanent escalation and the unlimited pumping of the Kyiv regime with more and more deadly weapons. 'Red lines' are a thing of the past," he added. 

Nechaev then brought up World War II, claiming that Germany "has forgotten the difficult path of postwar reconciliation between Russians and Germans," Nechaev said. 

"Battle tanks marked with the German cross will again be sent to 'the Eastern front,' which inevitably will lead to the death of not only Russian soldiers, but the civilian population, too," he said. 

Nechaev said that Berlin's decision comes as the 80th anniversary of the end of the Siege of Leningrad is observed.

The decision "destroys any remaining mutual trust, causes irreparable damage to Russian-German relations which are already in a pitiful state, and casts doubt on the possibility of their normalization in the near future," he said. 

7:51 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

Leopard tanks decision made "bit by bit" after consultations with allies, German chancellor says

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the decision to send Leopard 2 tanks was made after intensive discussions with allies.

“It is right that we advanced bit by bit, that is the only principle that can work in such dangerous conditions also for Europe,” he said during a statement before his question-and-answer session in the German parliament. 

“Our aim is to send two tank battalions," he said, adding training needed to come first.

More details: In a first step, Berlin will provide a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks, with the training of the Ukrainian crews to begin quickly in Germany. In addition to training, the package will also include logistics, ammunition and maintenance of the systems.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday “strongly“ welcomed Berlin’s decision to send German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, saying the tanks can help Kyiv “win” the war. 

7:48 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know

Germany has made a landmark decision to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, as well as authorizing other countries to re-export their own stocks of the tanks.

Elsewhere, a Ukrainian official has confirmed that the country's forces have withdrawn from Soledar in the east of the country, and a local pro-Russian official claims that Wagner mercenary forces are advancing in nearby Bakhmut.

Here are the latest headlines:

  • Germany approves Leopard 2 deliveries: Germany has confirmed that it will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, following weeks of diplomatic pressure to do so. Berlin will provide 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own stocks as part of a first shipment, and will also authorize the re-export of Leopard 2 tanks from other countries. The tanks could be operational in around three months, said German defense minister Boris Pistorius.
  • Ukraine pushing for "tank coalition": Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff has welcomed the news that Germany will send his country Leopard 2 combat tanks.  "The first tank step has been taken," said Andriy Yermak on Telegram. "Next up is the ‘tank coalition’. We need a lot of Leopards." French, British and Polish officials also praised Germany's decision to provide the tanks.
  • Russia will destroy US tanks in Ukraine, says Kremlin: If the US sends its Abrams tanks to Ukraine they will "burn down just like all the others," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday. Russia's Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Russian armed forces will destroy US-made Abrams tanks if they are supplied to Ukraine. The Biden administration is reportedly finalizing plans to send approximately 30 US-made Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
  • Kremlin warns of "more suffering" for Ukraine: US and European donations of tanks to Ukraine will bring “more suffering” to the country and “more tension to the continent,” Peskov warned. 
  • Ukrainian confirms withdrawal: Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the eastern salt mining town of Soledar, a military spokesperson told CNN. Russia claimed earlier this month that its forces had captured Soledar, but the Ukrainians have not previously confirmed that the town has fallen. 
  • Wagner advancing in Bakhmut: Wagner mercenary forces are making progress in Bakhmut and fighting in parts of the town that the Ukrainians held until recently, the Kremlin-backed governor of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic has told Russian state news agency TASS. 
  • Advanced Russian frigate to take part in joint exercises: Russia's Admiral Gorshkov frigate, armed with Zircon hypersonic missiles, will take part in joint exercises with the Chinese and South African navies, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The exercises are scheduled to take place early next month off the coast of South Africa.
7:36 a.m. ET, January 25, 2023

Germany's Scholz says he spoke with Zelensky before announcing tank plan to parliament 

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on January 25.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, on January 25. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking in parliament, said he had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before coming to parliament.

Scholz is in the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, for a question-and-answer session with deputies.

Scholz confirmed that Germany will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine — following weeks of diplomatic pressure to do so — during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, according to a federal government spokesman.

Some context: Germany together with the US and UK had sent the most weapons systems to Ukraine, Scholz added, saying Germany would be at the forefront of support for Ukraine.

All decisions to send weapons systems had been coordinated with allies, he told the parliament.