NATO wants to increase arms supplies to Ukraine
2023.01.18 10:57
NATO wants to increase arms supplies to Ukraine
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated on Wednesday that the only way to a negotiated peaceful resolution is for Ukraine to receive a “significant increase” in weapons at a crucial time in Russia’s invasion.
The most recent in a series of meetings since Russian forces invaded Ukraine nearly 11 months ago will take place on Friday at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base, where defense leaders from around 50 nations and NATO will meet.
In an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Stoltenberg stated, “This is a pivotal moment in the war and the need for a significant increase in support for Ukraine.”
“We must provide more weapons today if we want a negotiated peaceful solution tomorrow.”
It is anticipated that the focus in Ramstein will not be on what the United States will provide but rather on whether or not Germany will end its opposition to sending its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine or at the very least consent to their transfer from allied nations.
Even though he applauded the British decision to send Challenger tanks to Kyiv, Stoltenberg remained cautious about the matter, stating that discussions were still ongoing.
This week, Britain became the first Western nation to send tanks, pledging a squadron of 14 Challengers. However, the Leopards are considered to be the best option for providing Ukraine with a large tank force.
Kyiv says it hopes that new Western weapons, particularly heavy tanks that would give its troops more mobility and protection as they push through Russian lines in the east and south of the country, will give it new military momentum this year.
In addition to tanks, Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine required additional air defense systems, armor, ammunition, spare parts, and maintenance capabilities to ensure the continued operation of its existing weapons.
He said that over the past few weeks, the situation along the battlefronts had improved, but that the prolonged and bloody fighting in the eastern city of Bakhmut demonstrated the significance of providing additional weapons to support Ukraine.
In recent weeks, Russia has focused on Bakhmut, claiming last week to have taken the mining town of Soledar, which is on the northern edge of the city.
Stoltenberg continued, “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has shown no sign of preparing for peace, so he must realize he cannot win on the battlefield.”
