BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has spoken out in favor of supplying Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. "I think Ukraine should get the military equipment it needs and can use to defend its homeland," she said Tuesday in Brussels. This includes modern air defense systems, but also other modern military equipment, she said.

Ukrainians defend not only their country, but also the basic principles of the United Nations Charter, fundamental rights and international law, she added. That is why she has been advocating this position since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, she said.

Von der Leyen spoke at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU Council President Charles Michel on the question of whether she supports states that are considering supplying Western battle tanks such as the Leopard 2. This includes countries such as Poland and Spain as well as Great Britain.

The question of tank deliveries is particularly explosive because countries such as Spain and Poland would not be allowed to hand over their Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine without the approval of the manufacturing country, Germany. So far, the German government itself does not want to hand over Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. In Great Britain, the delivery of Challenger 2 main battle tanks is under discussion.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg pointed out that further arms deliveries to Ukraine are to be discussed next week during talks at the U.S. military base in Ramstein. Accordingly, discussions are to be held with the Ukrainian defense minister on what types of weapons are needed and how the allies can provide them. Stoltenberg stressed that it is not only about new weapons systems, but also about ammunition and spare parts for systems already supplied. EU Council President Michel added that he shared von der Leyen's position on tank deliveries./aha/DP/jha