The allies of Ukraine did not manage this Friday, January 20 to agree on the delivery of heavy tanks, dampening the hopes of kyiv which insistently claims them but will now have to wait for further discussions, and a green light from the ‘Germany.
Delivery of tanks to Ukraine: the (more or less disinterested) reasons for Macron’s reversal
At their meeting in Ramstein, the issue of delivering Leopard tanks was discussed, “no decision has been made”said the new German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, without being able to say when it would fall. “It was clear that the positions are far from being as homogeneous as one might think”he said on the sidelines of the Ramstein meeting which brings together defense ministers and senior military officials from around fifty countries.
“No other choice”
Kyiv’s expectations were high before this meeting of around fifty countries intended to coordinate the military aid of the allies against the Russian invasion. Experts say modern, Western-designed heavy tanks would be a crucial advantage for kyiv in looming battles in eastern Ukraine, where Russia is back on the offensive after suffering heavy setbacks this winter.
“Yes, we will still have to fight for the supply of modern tanks, but every day we make it more evident that there is no other solution than to take a decision on tanks”Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening speech via video.
Poland and Finland have offered to deliver such armaments, but any shipment of German war material must receive the green light from Berlin. Boris Pistorius, Germany’s new defense minister, rejected ” the impression “ that his country opposes their delivery, ensuring that Berlin acts and launches an inventory of Leopard stocks available to its army and industry.
“Putin is ready to go after Ukraine”, according to historian Françoise Thom
However, things could change in the coming weeks. Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said ” convinced “ that the allies will eventually succeed in creating a coalition to deliver Leopards to Ukraine. “We have a window of opportunity here between now and spring”when Ukraine will start “his counter-offensive”said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
At the opening of the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zekensky urged the allies to speed up their deliveries of heavy weapons. “It Is Your Power” of “launching a major supply that will stop the evil”, he said via video link. The Kremlin immediately replied that it would not change anything on the ground. Western countries maintain the“delusion” of a possible Ukrainian victory “on the battlefield”said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
