UKRAINE: Ukraine is one step closer to receiving approval for modern German-made combat tanks to face invading Russian troops and has secured a commitment to more Patriot defensive missiles as its allies appear prepared to rally for the next stage of the war.
One of the West’s best tanks is the Leopard 2, which is used by forces in around 20 different nations. The tank can hit targets up to five kilometres away with its 120-mm smoothbore gun, which weighs more than 60 tonnes.
The upgraded tanks, according to Ukraine, which has primarily used T-72 tank models from the Soviet era, will give its ground troops more mobility and protection amid a much-anticipated new Russian offensive and help it retake some of its regions.
Pressure mounts on European nations to supply tanks to Ukraine
In the West, Germany has been the biggest holdout when it comes to pledging tanks, but a cabinet minister announced on Tuesday that new Defense Minister Boris Pistorius would decide on this matter first.
On Thursday, he will host U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before a meeting of many defence ministers takes place on Friday at the German air base of Ramstein.
Western nations have constantly provided Ukraine with armaments ever since Russia invaded the country on February 24 in what it called a “special military operation” to protect its security as its neighbour drew nearer to the West. Ukraine and its allies accuse Moscow of starting an unprovoked conflict to grab territory.
James Cleverly, Britain’s Foreign Minister, said during a visit to Washington that the allies must increase their military support for Ukraine to help it overcome a hardening of the front lines.
“What we see when you have these kinds of brutal, attritional conflicts is this huge loss of life. And that cannot be what any of us want to see, which is why we think that now is the right time to intensify our support for Ukraine,” Cleverly stated.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also told US President Joe Biden in Washington about Dutch plans to give Ukraine a Patriot missile defence system.
This is an addition to the promises by the US and Germany to deliver Patriot missile systems to Ukraine.
Oleksii Reznikov of Ukraine claims that it will take 10 weeks to train officers to operate the Patriot advanced long-range air defence system.
The first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, urged attendees at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday to do more to help put an end to the conflict.
She also said she would give a letter from her husband to the Chinese delegation outlining Ukraine’s suggested peace formula.
China, a crucial ally of Moscow, has refrained from denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, will address the forum in Davos, Switzerland.
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