Zelenskyy said in his evening address Friday that Ukraine will have to fight to secure a supply of modern heavy armor. In an interview with VOA's Patsy Widakuswara on Friday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the NATO alliance remains "very, very solidly behind Ukraine." However, he said NATO allies, as "sovereign nations, they get to decide because they have to have their own national security needs, they have to consider as well, just like we do." The ministry said in an intelligence update posted on Twitter that the heaviest fighting recently has been in three Ukraine locations – northeastern Kremina, the Donetsk oblast in Bakhmut, and Zaporizhzhia oblast. However, Milley said it would be very hard for Ukraine to drive Russia's invading forces from the country this year, and he stressed the importance of solidifying Ukraine's defensive front.īritain’s Defense Ministry said Saturday that the conflict in Ukraine is in “a state of deadlock.” However, the agency warned that there is “a realistic possibility of local Russian advances around Bakhmut.” "As much as it takes, as long as it takes in order to keep Ukraine free, independent and sovereign," he said. assistance package, along with unified donations from other countries, signify their resolve to defend Ukraine. Milley echoed Austin's comment and noted this is the most unified he has seen NATO in his 40 years in uniform. He expressed confidence the group will remain united and continue to build momentum. "It is not only about Ukraine security, it is about European security and about global security," he said. 20, 2023.Īustin reaffirmed the allies' commitment to defending Ukraine. People hold signs referencing Leopard tanks being sent to Ukraine, at a demonstration in Berlin, Germany, Jan. aid package, worth $2.5 billion, brings American military assistance to Ukraine to almost $27 billion since Russia's invasion nearly a year ago. So, we have a window of opportunity here - between now and in the spring … whenever they commence their operation, their counteroffensive," he said. "What we're really focused on is making sure that Ukraine has a capability that it needs to be successful right now. I am very satisfied.”Īustin denied there is a link between Germany not sending its Leopard tanks and the U.S. In addition, some new packages were discussed behind closed doors, but I am not at liberty to announce them just yet. All the previously announced packages have been confirmed. Reznikov said he was pleased with the results, “I consider that the key concepts of this meeting today were unity, timelines of delivering aid, and enhancement of the capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine to continue counter-offensive operations in order to liberate temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Zelenskyy made direct pleas for tanks at the meeting. The meeting was held amid Kyiv's frustration with the dissent over sending tanks to Ukraine as the full-scale invasion reaches the 11-month mark. Ramstein Air Base in Germany following an international conference on Ukraine support. They made the remarks at a briefing at the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Army General Mark Milley said no Leopard tanks would be given to Ukraine by Germany at this time. Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. "But today's indecision is killing more of our people. "You'll help Ukraine with the necessary weapons anyway and realize that there is no other option to end the war except the defeat of Russia," Mykhailo Podolyak posted on Twitter. We will start training programs for our tank crews on Leopards 2,” Reznikov said.Ī senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed his frustration with the pace of the military support the country’s allies are providing and has urged them to “think faster.” I am optimistic regarding this because the first step has been made. I hope, Germany will follow their process, conduct their internal consultations, and will arrive at the decision to transfer tanks. We will start with that, and we will go from there. "Countries that already have Leopard tanks can begin training missions for our tank crews. Reznikov told VOA’s Ukrainian Service Friday that Ukraine’s troops will train on the tanks in Poland and described the development as a breakthrough. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov says Ukrainian forces will train to use Leopard 2 battle tanks, despite Western allies’ failure Friday to reach a decision on whether to supply Kyiv with the German-made tanks.
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