The Chancellor justifies the decision to deliver tanks on ZDF.
(Photo: dpa)
Kyiv, Moscow Ukraine has welcomed the announced deliveries of Western-style heavy battle tanks in the fight against the Russian invaders and at the same time has called for additional weapon systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden for their decision in his daily video address on Wednesday evening. “I thank all our allies for their willingness to provide us with modern and much-needed tanks.”
He added that what his country needs most now is long-range missiles, fighter jets and more artillery.
The federal government promised Ukraine 14 Leopard 2 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks on Wednesday. Other countries, such as the USA, now also want to supply battle tanks to Kyiv.
>> Read about it here: US to deliver 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine – Biden on Scholz: “Grateful for his leadership”
Now “a fist of tanks” must be formed, said Zelenski. “A fist of liberty that will not allow tyranny to rise again.” But the key now lies in the speed of training Ukrainian tank crews and delivering tanks to Ukraine. The quantity of tanks to be delivered is also decisive.
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However, progress is also needed on other military issues, Zelensky said. Above all, his country now needs long-range missiles, combat aircraft and more artillery. “It’s a dream, it’s a task,” he emphasized.
The Ukrainian President calls for more weapons against the Russian attackers.
(Photo: AP)
“An important task for all of us,” he said, setting the course for future negotiations on further support for Ukraine. “The terrorist state (Russia) must lose.”
Another air alert in Ukraine
Air raid alarms were raised again in large parts of Ukraine on Wednesday evening. According to media reports, explosions could be heard in Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk – possibly due to the use of air defense systems. The regional military administrator Vitali Kim wrote on Telegram that there are new waves of Russian combat drones made in Iran. “The little crooks just couldn’t help themselves on the birthday of the best president (Zelensky),” he wrote. Selenski celebrated his 45th birthday on Wednesday.
Scholz: Germany with Leopard delivery not a war party
According to Chancellor Scholz, Germany has not become a party to the war even with the delivery of Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine. “No, absolutely not,” said the SPD politician on Wednesday evening in the ZDF program “What now, Mr. Scholz” to a corresponding question.
Scholz described the deliveries as a clear sign of solidarity with Ukraine and also as a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his “imperialist war” would not be successful. At the same time, one must always be careful not to become a party to the war. “There must be no war between Russia and NATO,” emphasized Scholz. He will do anything for that.
USA: Battle tank decision was discussed with partners for weeks
The US government justified its change of heart in supplying main battle tanks to Ukraine. “We have never ruled out tanks,” National Security Council communications director John Kirby said on Wednesday. Conditions on the battlefield in Ukraine have changed. “These tanks are designed to help Ukraine fight effectively in open terrain to defend its sovereignty and territory and to retake areas captured by the Russians.” The US government will initially supply Ukraine with 31 Abrams main battle tanks.
This is how the Handelsblatt reports on the Ukraine war:
The USA is considered Ukraine’s most important ally in the defense against the Russian invasion and also supplies, for example, multiple rocket launchers of the Himar type. The Pentagon said the latest package was worth $400 million. According to this, the US has pledged military support to Ukraine totaling more than 27.1 billion US dollars (almost 25 billion euros) since the beginning of the war.
US government: No signs of Russian attack on NATO territory
According to the US government, there are no indications of an imminent Russian attack on the territory of the NATO defense alliance. “All I can tell you is that we have seen absolutely no indication that Mr. Putin has any intentions to attack NATO territory,” National Security Council communications director John Kirby said on Wednesday. Kirby answered a journalist’s question as to how Putin could react to the promised battle tank deliveries to Ukraine – also with a view to NATO countries such as Poland.
EU Council President Michel welcomes German tank decision
EU Council President Charles Michel welcomed the planned delivery of German Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. “I thank the federal government for creating clarity and making this decision,” said Michel in a conversation with journalists in Argentina, from which local media quoted on Wednesday. “I think we have to support Ukraine, because Ukrainians are fighting for their future, but also for democratic values.”
What will be important on Thursday
After the breakthrough in the month-long debate about deliveries of main battle tanks to Ukraine, the details are now at stake. New tank offers are expected from Western countries that use Leopard main battle tanks in their armed forces.
More: Don’t miss any developments in the Ukraine war – everything new in our news blog