Mateusz Morawiecki made the remark at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Speaking in an interview with the US broadcaster CNN, the Polish prime minister said: “The critically important point is will Germans finally, finally give their part of heavy artillery and in particular heavy and modern tanks.”
He added: “If France and in particular Germany and some other countries gave 20-30 tanks each then it could make a difference for Ukraine.”
Morawiecki told CNN on Wednesday that Poland was "the first" to offer Leopard tanks to Ukraine "and we are now encouraging and inspiring others, in particular the Germans, to give their part.”
According to the Polish prime minister, it is more important for Germany to transfer tanks to Ukraine than whether it will permit allies to re-export their own Leopard 2 machines to the war-torn country, the rmf24.pl website reported.
'Many German politicians are embedded in the previous era'
Asked why Germany was hesitating to give the go-ahead for Leopard tank deliveries, Morawiecki said: “They procrastinate on many different issues related to Ukraine. Unfortunately I believe that many German politicians are still embedded in the previous era.”
He told CNN’s Richard Quest: “They put all their eggs in one basket called ‘the Russian gas.’ And this basket is now full of eggs but not exactly in a good shape. And now they have to reinvent themselves and this is probably why they are so hesitating and procrastinating and not supportive of Ukraine.”
Poland pledges Leopard tanks for Ukraine
Last Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda promised that his country would send a company of German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Morawiecki told reporters this week that "for Poland to be able to re-export Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Germany, as the producer, must give its consent."
He added: “I can’t imagine Germany not giving its consent as soon as possible.”
Last Friday, a Polish presidential aide, Paweł Szrot, said that Denmark and Finland were also ready to transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of an international coalition, the PAP news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Canada said on Wednesday it would donate 200 Senator armoured personnel carriers to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion.
Earlier this month, Britain pledged Challenger heavy tanks and the United States promised to send Bradley armoured fighting vehicles, while France offered its AMX-10 RC armoured fighting vehicles, according to news outlets.
The 2023 World Economic Forum, attended by decision makers including the Polish president and Deputy Prime Minister Jacek Sasin, runs until Friday.
Thursday is day 330 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, CNN, rmf24.pl