Almost a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, the war is entering a new phase. After last spring’s failed attack on Kyiv and the powerful Ukrainian counter-offensive that liberated Kharkiv to the north and Kherson to the south, Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a campaign targeting civilians and energy infrastructure with drones and missiles.
Getting stuck on the battlefield, Putin tries to increase the number of Ukrainians who have to spend the winter in the cold and dark. The frontline hasn’t moved much in the last few months. But fighting is still fierce (with many casualties) and Russia appears to be preparing for a spring offensive.
The Russian economy is in war mode and the Kremlin’s propaganda machine is in overdrive, spreading a mixture of apocalyptic threats and imperial mania. Russia’s last independent news channel, Meduza, and its last human rights organization, the Sakharov Centre, will be shut down. The mood in Moscow is stubborn.
Under these circumstances, it is right that Ukraine’s allies are stepping up their military support, including by providing main battle tanks. The aim is for Ukraine to win against the aggressor.
But we cannot wish for this goal without giving Ukraine the means to achieve it. The alternative is a protracted war of attrition, leading to more deaths in Ukraine, greater insecurity in Europe, and lasting suffering around the world (as Russia weaponizes energy and food supplies).
Tank deliveries are needed to regain momentum in Ukraine
Ukraine’s partners have already pledged to supply modern anti-aircraft systems such as the US-made Patriot missile system, more powerful howitzers and additional armored fighting vehicles. But before the recent major breakthrough, there was a heated debate over whether to supply tanks like the German Leopard 2 or the American M1 Abrams.
>> Read here: All news about the war in Ukraine in the blog
For my part, I have long held the view that we must provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to push Russia back. Tanks are needed for Ukrainian forces to break the current trench warfare stalemate and regain the momentum they had in retaking Kharkiv and Kherson last fall.
Achieving this “tank agreement” required time and intensive discussions, including in the Council of the European Union for Foreign Affairs. The breakthrough came when Germany agreed to deliver Leopard 2 in coordination with the US, which will provide about 30 M1 Abrams.
While these weapons will take time to deliver and will require intensive training and maintenance, the outcome is not limited to the battlefield. We also sent another strong signal to Russia that, once again, Putin was wrong to doubt our resolve.
Everyone who has tried to negotiate with Putin has come away empty-handed
Of course, some argue that more guns will prolong the war and risk further escalation, and that diplomatic negotiations are the only solution. But while Europeans are always open to anyone who genuinely seeks a negotiated end to the war, Russia has so far made it clear that it intends to commit war crimes.
“The task of the EU is to do everything in its power to support Ukraine.”
(Photo: IMAGO/NurPhoto)
Everyone who has tried to negotiate with Putin has come away empty-handed. Until that changes, we must conclude that the only way to end the war is to give Ukraine the means to drive out the aggressor.
The task of the EU is therefore to do everything in its power to support Ukraine. And that’s exactly what we do. Together with EU Member State governments, we have already mobilized EUR 12 billion worth of arms and other aid to Ukraine, including EUR 3.6 billion from the European Peace Facility. If macro-financial and humanitarian assistance is also taken into account, our total support amounts to almost EUR 50 billion.
>> Read here: Fears of a massive Russian offensive are growing
In addition, today the EU is a leader in the military training of Ukrainian soldiers. As part of the EU military support mission in Poland and Germany, we will have trained 15,000 soldiers by April, and we are ready to train another 15,000 soldiers – including how to use tanks like the Leopard 2.
We must give Ukraine the means to find its place in the EU
The EU is also working on a tenth package of sanctions after we reduced our dependence on Russian energy imports within a few months. And one thing is also clear: the sanctions are having an effect.
Russian oil is selling at a $40 discount to Brent and the country’s daily energy revenues are expected to fall from around €800 million to €500 million this month after our latest measures come into effect. The war is costing the Kremlin dearly, and these costs will increase the longer it lasts.
>> Read here: Germany could deliver up to 160 Leopard 1 main battle tanks
Last January, just before the invasion, I visited the Donbass region and the front line at that time. For obvious reasons, this trip left a deep impression on me.
On the way back through Kyiv, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that “the invasion is coming and we know that you will not come to fight on our side”. But he hastened to ask, “Will you give us the weapons we need to defend ourselves?”
To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to answer because I didn’t know how strong Europe’s resolve would be. Today the answer is easy for me, and no one doubts that Europe has risen to the occasion.
Now we must continue to give Ukraine the means to defeat the aggressor, restore its sovereignty and find its place in the European Union. The EU-Ukraine summit last Friday in Kyiv confirmed our determination to do so.
The author:
Josep Borrell is the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
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