SECURITY: Netherlands Denies Reports It Has Changed Position On Tanks

The Netherlands has rejected a report that it has reversed its decision to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

• Defence Ministry spox Sascha Louwhoff told Reuters: "With Germany, it was decided that tanks from another battalion would be better suited to deliver to Ukraine. If Germany would have decided to send tanks from our bi-national battalion we would not have opposed this. Nor will we oppose if they decide to send them at a later moment."
• German newspaper Die Welt reported today that the Netherlands and Denmark had both decided against sending tanks, prompting EU Chief diplomat Josep Borrell, to express disappointment: "Countries must deliver as many tanks as possible and as quickly as possible. It would be very disappointing if, after so long of pointing the finger at Germany... these countries now don't follow suit.... some of them need to be refurbished, but then you have to do it, and do it quickly, because in the spring it will be too late."
• Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte agreed last month to dispatch 18 Leopard 2 tanks, leased from Germany, to Ukraine.