---
title: "Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Poland signals intent to send tanks"
description: "Poland said on Monday it would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine - and would send them whether or not Berlin agreed as long as other countries did too."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "WAR IN EUROPE"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-24-russias-war-on-ukraine-latest-poland-signals-intent-to-send-tanks/"
published: "2023-01-24T04:00:38"
updated: "2023-01-24T00:56:16"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 247
---

# Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Poland signals intent to send tanks

> Poland said on Monday it would ask Germany for permission to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine - and would send them whether or not Berlin agreed as long as other countries did too.

By Reuters · Published 24 January 2023, 06:00 SAST · Updated 24 January 2023, 02:56 SAST

## Content

#### **WEAPONS AND DIPLOMACY**

- Germany's approval for the re-export of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine is of secondary importance as Poland could send those tanks as part of a coalition of countries even without its permission, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki [said](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3480AL&linkedFromStory=true) on Monday.

- European foreign ministers, meeting on Monday to discuss aid to Ukraine, [pressed Berlin](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N34810U&linkedFromStory=true) to let countries send German-made Leopard tanks, after Germany appeared to open the door to such shipments by allies.

- Russia and Estonia [downgraded their diplomatic relations](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N34822K&linkedFromStory=true) and expelled each other's ambassadors after Moscow accused Tallinn of anti-Russian policies. Latvia also expelled Russia's ambassador in solidarity with Estonia.

- Sweden should not expect Turkey's support for its Nato membership after a protest near the [Turkish embassy in Stockholm](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3481FU&linkedFromStory=true) at the weekend including the burning of a copy of the Koran, said President Tayyip Erdoğan.

#### **FIGHTING**

- Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday that its forces were improving their positions in [Zaporizhzhia](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N34707X&linkedFromStory=true) region, a southern part of Ukraine.

- The top Russian-installed official in the occupied parts of the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine said he had visited the town of [Soledar](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N348039&linkedFromStory=true) that Russia claimed to had captured earlier this month.

- Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

#### **UKRAINE ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES**

- A top ally of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said corrupt officials would be "actively" jailed, setting out a zero-tolerance approach after the most [high-profile graft allegations](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3480NB&linkedFromStory=true) since Russia's invasion came to light.

*(Compiled by William Maclean, Frances Kerry, Peter Graff; Editing by Robert Birsel.)*