Linas Linkevičius, Lithuania’s former defense minister and foreign minister, called to provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine, emphasizing that the hesitation in helping Ukraine liberate its territory will not help avoid a third world war but will only encourage the aggressor.
“Those who say they are trying to avoid WWIII are actually doing the exact opposite, delaying vital and much needed decisions to allow Ukraine to liberate its territory and end the war. Hesitation, indecision only encourages the aggressor. #FreeLeopards,” the diplomate tweeted on Saturday.
Lithuania is one of NATO’s nine European member states that signed the Tallinn Pledge on Thursday, committing to “collectively pursuing delivery of an unprecedented set of donations including main battle tanks, heavy artillery, air defense, ammunition, and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine’s defense.”
On Friday, the Ramstein meeting of the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group failed to come up with a decision on supplying Leopards to Ukraine.
Those who say they are trying to avoid WWIII are actually doing the exact opposite, delaying vital and much needed decisions to allow #Ukraine to liberate its territory and end the war. Hesitation, indecision only encourages the aggressor. #FreeLeopards.
— Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL) January 21, 2023
