On Friday, more than 50 countries discussed arms support for Ukraine at the Ramstein base in Germany.
There was particular tension over whether Germany would approve the donation of Leopard tanks, which is at the top of Zelenskyi’s wish list, but this did not happen.
– It becomes more obvious with each passing day that a decision must be made regarding deliveries of tanks, Zelenskyj says after the meeting on Friday.
– Will get on the defensive
Without the tanks, Ukraine will not be able to take back more occupied areas, according to Tom Røseth, head teacher in intelligence at the Norwegian Defense Academy.
– Then they will probably be on the defensive along the front line, after having been on the offensive since the summer. We see signs that they are losing ground around Bakhmut, says Røseth to TV 2 Nyheter on Friday.
– It is clear that armored vehicles, of which they now get a lot, but also tanks are extremely important in the further battle. Because they are starting to run out of what they have.
Røseth points out that there are different attitudes in Europe when it comes to arms support for Ukraine. Several allied countries have the German-made Leopard tanks and will give them to Ukraine. But it is Germany that must approve the donations.
– In any case, there is a crossroads here, where the West must either give up or see that territories are lost in Ukraine. So if Europe still wants to support, it is also important to contribute with sufficient means of force, so that Kyiv can continue this fight and perhaps take back what Russia has taken since February last year, says Røseth.
USA: Ukraine should wait with new attacks
Ukraine should wait for a major offensive against Russia in occupied territories, says a senior official in the US presidential administration to the Reuters news agency.
The US believes Ukraine should wait until the last weapons supplies from the US are in place and more soldier training is provided, says the official.
US Defense Secretary Mark Milley also stated on Friday that it will be “very difficult” for Ukraine to push Russian forces out of the country during 2023.
The United States has promised a record-breaking package of military aid to Ukraine with a value of 2.5 billion dollars, Defense Minister Lloyd Austin announced after the summit in Ramstein.
Nor would he criticize Germany for its reluctance to donate tanks to Ukraine.
– Germany has contributed a lot, says Austin.
– Germany is a reliable ally, they have been for a very long time, and they will be so in the future, boasts the American.
