Western political leaders visit Ukraine almost every day.
On the Ukrainian side, everyone hears that the country’s army is in dire need of more weapons and ammunition in the war against the Russian occupation army.
And what is very high on the wish list right now are western tanks.
And above all, the German-made Leopard 2 tank, which is a very modern and powerful tank.
But according to Skynews is also considering Britain sending Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.
pressure on Germany
Today, Polish President Andrzej Duda visited Lviv, Ukraine.
Making promises: Polish President Andrzej Duda met his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Lviv.
Photo: HANDOUT/AFP
There he met fellow Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky.
Duda said Poland was ready to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine “within the framework of an international coalition”.
This means, in plain language, that the German authorities must give the green light before Ukraine can acquire the Leopard.
Yesterday, the German Foreign Minister, Analina Berbock, paid a surprise visit to the city of Kharkiv in the northeastern part of Ukraine.
There she met fellow Ukrainian Dmytro Kuleba.
Discontent: German Foreign Minister Analina Berbock was criticized by her Ukrainian colleague during a meeting in Kharkiv yesterday.
Photo: STR/AFP
He criticized Germany because the authorities have not yet agreed to send tanks to Ukraine.
– Koleba says that the longer it takes to make a decision, the more people will die.
It can be of great importance
Lieutenant-Colonel Pale Idestpo of the Norwegian Military Academy told NRK that it would be very important for Ukraine to create one or more brigades with Western tanks and other modern weapons.
Crucial: A Leopard tank during an exercise in Latvia this year.
Photo: WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP
– It could be a turning point in Ukraine’s ability to carry out the attacks, says Ydstebø.
He points out that in this case the striking force of the Ukrainian army will be much greater.
Very important: Lieutenant Colonel Pale Yedstepo at the Norwegian Military Academy says that Western tanks can be a turning point in the war in Ukraine.
Photo: Gunhild Hjermundrud/NRK
It will also be much better than what the Russian army can use.
The presenter points out that the Ukrainian forces had previously expelled the Russian occupation army from the cities of Kharkiv and Kherson.
Their goal is to drive the Russians out of all occupied lands.
But Yedestipou stresses that much will depend on countermeasures taken by the Russians.
– I think the tanks are coming
At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Germany was going to give the Ukrainians only lighter weapons.
Western leaders initially did not want to send heavy weapons that could provoke Russia.
Question for the time: Staff College Professor Hoakon Lundy-Sachse believes Ukraine will get the German tanks it wants.
Photo: Norwegian Defense Academy
But that has gradually changed, says Håkon Lunde Saxi, associate professor at the Staff School at NRK.
– There was very strong pressure on Germany to deliver heavier weapons to Ukraine.
Sachs believes the pressure has worked because, measured by volume, only the United States now supplies more weapons to the Ukrainians than Germany does.
The United States and Germany announced a few days ago that they would send armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
– I think German tanks will come too, it’s just a matter of time, says Sachs.
It is believed that there is no longer any reason to hold back on these weapons.
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