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Will the West deliver the tanks Ukraine is asking for? | Russia-Ukraine war News

The UK has pledged to supply more than a dozen battle tanks to Ukraine as it continues to battle Russian aggression forces.

Moscow reacted angrily, saying all units the UK was planning to send “will be burned” and do nothing to change the outcome of their nearly yearlong war.

The UK’s announcement is likely to increase pressure on Germany to allow exports of German-made tanks to Ukraine, as several European countries await Berlin’s approval.

Here’s what you need to know:

Why does Ukraine call for tanks?

The Ukrainian government has repeatedly begged for additional weapons – including battle tanks – from Western allies to bolster efforts to push Russian forces out of the country.

So far, Ukraine has mainly relied on T-72 tank variants from the Soviet era.

Battle tanks designed by NATO countries – such as those made by Britain and Germany – will provide Kyiv’s forces with better protection and more precise firepower.

However, they will not provide an immediate boost in combat capability as Ukrainian forces will need to be trained to use any tanks provided by their Western allies – a process that could take at least a few weeks, if not longer.

Which countries have promised tanks?

The UK confirmed on Monday that it will send 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine as well as other advanced artillery support in the coming weeks.

Among Kiev’s other allies, Poland has said it is keen to send German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine as part of an international coalition, but requires Berlin’s approval to do so. according to German rules governing the re-export of military equipment.

Finland has also offered the possibility of supplying Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but says it depends on Germany’s lead.

Meanwhile, Latvia urged Kiev’s allies to provide it with “all necessary support”.

“Ukraine should have it all [the] necessary weapon… to fend off this attack. Therefore, all tanks should be given to Ukraine when possible,” Latvian President Egils Levits told Al Jazeera on Monday.

INTERACTIVE_UKRAINE_CHALLENGER_2_TANKS_JAN15

Is there a split in the Western response?

So far, Germany has opposed supplying combat tanks to Ukraine, saying such units should only be supplied to Kiev with the consent of the country’s main allies, especially the United States. Ky.

The re-export of Leopards requires approval from the German government, so other countries with such tanks cannot send them to Ukraine without it.

The US operates thousands of M1 Abrams tanks made by General Dynamics, but they are considered unsuitable for Ukraine because they are powered by gas turbine engines.

Another key ally of Ukraine, France, has not yet indicated whether it is ready to supply any of its own Leclerc tanks to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, the US said it would send tens of Bradley Armored Combat Vehicle to Ukraine, as Germany and France also committed to sending armored vehicles.

A resolution regarding Leopard 2 tanks could be reached on Friday, when Ukraine’s allies are about to hold talks in Germany on increasing military support to Ukraine.

The meeting in Ramstein comes as Prime Minister Olaf Scholz faces growing pressure to allow the export of Leopard 2 tanks.

Deputy Prime Minister Robert Habeck, whose economy ministry is responsible for approving defense exports, said on Thursday that Berlin should not stand in the way of countries that own such units and want to supply them to Kiev.

Pictures of countries sending weapons to Ukraine.

How did Russia react?

The Kremlin said the tanks Britain intended to send to Ukraine “will be burned”.

“Surname [the UK] are using this country as a tool to achieve their anti-Russian goals,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday when asked about the move.

“These tanks… will burn like the rest,” he said, adding that the new supply would not change the situation on the ground in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a pro-Kremlin presenter on state TV channel Rossiya 1 said the UK “actually went to war” with the move to supply these units.

Vladimir Solovyev said: “I think Britain is now our legitimate target.

Will tanks make a difference in the war?

With the Russian army consolidating their positions in the occupied areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, and perhaps preparing for a new offensive in the coming months, battle tanks will provide give Ukraine a means to better defend itself and be able to make breakthroughs on the battlefield.

Experts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a British think-tank, speak last week that it would take about 100 tanks to have “any significant effect on the engagement”.

This will complement Kyiv’s already depleted tank fleet and enhance its capabilities.

“Although it is politically notable, providing a small amount will only have the effect of a symbolic gesture,” it added.



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