The UK and Poland are set to send tanks to Ukraine, but the US and Germany have not yet agreed their own donation despite a meeting between defence officials.
Keen to paper over any cracks, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, convener of theContact Group meeting, and his top military officer General Mark Milley insisted the allies were as united as ever.
"I think that over my 43 years in uniform, this is the most unified I've ever seen NATO," declared General Milley.But they also stressed the challenge faced by Ukraine - and the need to ensure military equipment and training provides the capability required to conduct complicated operations drawing on a combination of tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and artillery.
forces from every inch of Russian-occupied Ukraine," General Milley said in a joint press conference at the end of the meeting at the Ramstein base."That doesn't mean it can't happen, doesn't mean it won't happen, but it will be very very difficult." With Russia rearming and training newly mobilised troops for what many Western and Ukrainian officials anticipate will be a new wave of offensives by the spring, time is not on Ukraine's side.This point was stressed by President Zelenskyy, who spoke via video link to the assembled defence ministers."Time must become our common weapon, just like air defence and artillery, armoured vehicles and tanks.
But Germany, which has been criticised in the past for being too slow in giving lethal assistance to Ukraine, does not want to be rushed, especially in a week when its defence minister was forced to resign.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Ukraine war: German tanks for Ukraine depend on US approvalThe German Chancellor is under pressure to supply tanks to Ukraine, but will not do so without US approval.
Lire la suite »
Ukraine war: Ukraine admits pulling out of front line town of SoledarAndrew Harding goes under fire on the front line in eastern Ukraine after recent Russian gains.
Lire la suite »
Ukraine war - latest: 'No decision' on sending crucial German tanks to Ukraine's battlefieldsPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his government is expecting 'strong decisions' from defence ministers of NATO as they meet to discuss military assistance to Ukraine; Poland is 'moderately pessimistic' about German tank donations. Listen to the Ukraine War Diaries podcast as you scroll.
Lire la suite »
The Lincolnite tries: Eastern European snacks from Lincoln international supermarketWe took Eastern European snacks from a Lincoln international supermarket for a taste test
Lire la suite »
Man lost an eye after knife attack and 'relentless' beatingA man was subjected to a 'vicious' knife attack and relentless beating which claimed his eye
Lire la suite »
Berlin asked for permission to send German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Ben Wallace revealsThe unnamed country that sent the request, likely to be Poland, has to get approval from Berlin to send the German-made tanks to Ukraine because it holds the export licence.
Lire la suite »