Russia-Ukraine War! NATO Countries Pledge New Military For Ukraine

A group of 11 European states have pledged on Thursday (19 January) to deliver more arms to Ukraine in its war with Russia, saying they would send main battle tanks, heavy artillery, air defence, ammunition and infantry fighting vehicles.

The countries that issued the statement from Estonia, calling it the Tallinn Pledge, said they would urge other allies to contribute to the package at a meeting in Ramstein, Germany.

The 11 nations were Estonia, Britain, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain.

Below are highlights from the statement that listed existing and planned contributions from some of the nations in the group:

Denmark

Denmark will continue to train Ukrainian forces, including but not limited to the UK-led Operation INTERFLEX. Denmark has donated or financed military aid worth close to 600 million euros. Weapons donations and military support will continue in close cooperation with allies and in accordance with Ukrainian needs.

Czechia

The Czech Republic said it was working with its defence industry to increase production capacities to provide more support, especially in producing large calibre ammunition, howitzers and armoured personnel carriers (APCs). A key component will be the maintenance of already delivered equipment.

Estonia

The Estonian package consists of tens of 155 mm FH-70 and 122 mm D-30 howitzers, thousands of rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition, support vehicles for artillery units, and hundreds of Carl-Gustaf M2 anti-tank grenade launchers with ammunition. Estonia will continue to provide both basic and specialist training to hundreds of Ukrainian Armed Forces members in 2023.

Latvia

Latvia is preparing new donations with additional tens of man-portable air-defence systems (Stinger) and additional air-defence elements, two M-17 helicopters, tens of machine guns with ammunition, several tens of UAVs and spare parts for M109 howitzers. In 2023, Latvia is planning to train about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers from basic infantry training to specialised courses.

Lithuania

The new Lithuanian package consists of dozens of L-70 anti-aircraft guns with tens of thousands of ammunition, and two Mi-8 helicopters, with a total replacement value of 85 million euros. In 2023, Lithuania will invest 40 million euros for procurement to support Ukraine’s military. This will include anti-drones, optics, thermo-visual devices and drones. In addition, 2 million euros will be transferred to the UK International Fund to finance heavy weaponry acquisitions projects such as artillery systems and ammunition, direct-fire platforms or armoured fighting vehicles. The total value of Lithuania’s upcoming package is 125 million euros.

Poland

The new Polish package consists of S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 pieces of ammunition. Poland has already donated 42 infantry fighting vehicles along with a training packages for two mechanised battalions. Poland continues to deliver 155 mm KRAB howitzers and is supplying Ukraine with various types of ammunition. In addition, Poland is ready to donate a company of Leopard 2 tanks with 1,000 pieces of ammunition.

Slovakia

In addition to the heavy equipment donated, Slovakia will continue intensive discussions with allies to unlock further equipment donations, now focused on main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, air defence systems. It also includes increased production of howitzers, demining equipment and ammunition. Details are being developed based on exchanges with allies and partners.

United Kingdom

Britain’s accelerated package consists of a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks with armoured recovery and repair vehicles, AS90 self-propelled 155mm guns, hundreds more armoured and protected vehicles, a manoeuvre support package that includes minefield breaching and bridging capabilities, dozens more uncrewed aerial systems to support Ukrainian artillery and another 100,000 artillery rounds.

It also includes hundreds more sophisticated missiles including GMLRS rockets, Starstreak air defence missiles and medium-range air defence missiles, 600 Brimstone anti-tank munitions and an equipment support package of spares to refurbish up to a hundred Ukrainian tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

The package is further augmented by continuing basic training and junior leadership training in Britain with 9 International partners, with the aim of training about a further 20,000 personnel in 2023.

Ukraine expects tanks

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said his government was expecting “strong decisions” from defence leaders of NATO and other countries meeting on Friday to discuss boosting Ukraine’s ability to confront Russian forces with modern battle tanks.

The meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany is the latest in a series since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly 11 months ago, and where future weapons supplies will be discussed, particularly Germany’s Leopard 2 tanks used by armies across Europe.

Western allies will meet at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base for the second time since Russia started its war of aggression against Ukraine. The first meeting gave birth to a contact group for ensuring a continuous flow of security assistance to Ukraine. What is at stake ahead of the second meeting on Friday (20 January)?

Berlin has veto power over any decision to export the tanks and Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government has appeared reluctant so far to authorise that for fear of provoking Russia.

Some allies say Berlin’s concern is misplaced, with Russia already fully committed to war, while Moscow has repeatedly said Western weapons transfers would prolong the conflict and increase suffering in Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia have both relied primarily on Soviet-era T-72 tanks, which have been destroyed in their hundreds during the war that Russian President Vladimir Putin started last 24 February, calling it a “special military operation” to de-Nazify Ukraine.

Ukraine and its allies accuse Moscow of an unprovoked war to grab territory and to erase the independence of an ex-Soviet republic and neighbour. Western countries have provided a steady supply of weapons to Ukraine.

“We are, in fact, now waiting for a decision from one European capital, which will activate the prepared chains of cooperation regarding tanks,” Zelenskyy said in a video address on Thursday night.