Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The war is still raging in Ukraine. Most recently, a number of Western countries are ready to send their battle tanks to help Kyiv fight Russia.
The most recent is Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has given his blessing to send the Leopard II, called the most advanced battle tank today.
Germany’s green light means not only for that country. But also other countries such as NATO members, Poland, and the European bloc that can send the Leopard II purchased from Berlin to Ukraine.
The United States (US) did not want to be left behind. President Joe Biden also promised to send the most advanced M1 Abrams tank to Ukraine, after a long refusal despite Kyiv’s constant persuasion.
Russia itself reacted angrily to this new development. The Russian ambassador said in a statement Wednesday that Berlin’s decision was “extremely dangerous” and took the conflict “to a new level of confrontation.”
Why?
What does this mean? How is the war going?
Collect CNN International, the entry of Western tanks into the conflict has the potential to change the shape of the war. The transfer represents a breakthrough in Western military support for Kyiv, signaling a strengthening worldwide view that Ukraine can seize territory it already occupies.
“Most importantly, they enabled Ukraine to take the battle to Moscow’s troops and retake more occupied land, rather than focusing mainly on repelling Russian attacks,” the media wrote, quoted Friday (27/1/2023).
The presence of these tanks, especially the Leopard II, indicates that Ukraine will soon have modern tanks that will greatly increase their arsenal ahead of the latest land combat, which is anticipated next spring. Fighting in the coming weeks is believed to break out in Luhansk and Donetsk, the main objectives set by President Vladimir Putin when he announced the “military operation”.
The Leopard II is expected to make rapid advances for the Kyiv forces, as is the US HIMARS rocket system which was first delivered in mid-2022. The HIMARS proved to be especially helpful for Ukraine in disrupting the Russian advance and carrying out a series of successful counteroffensives in recent months.
“Of course, we need a large number of Western tanks. They are much better than the Soviet models and can help us advance,” said Ukrainian troop leader Lieutenant General Serhiy Naiev.
Germany itself is known to be sending 14 tanks. Please note, throughout Europe, there are at least 2,000 Leopard II spread in many countries.
It actually took Germany a long time to make that decision, even weeks. But global pressure changed Germany’s approach.
“I call on all new partners who have Leopard II tanks to join the coalition and provide as many of them as possible,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after the announcement in Berlin.
“They are free now,” referred to the German agreement.
In the report RTL NewsThe Netherlands admits that it is under serious consideration to send 18 Leopard IIs to be purchased from Germany to Ukraine. Spain and Norway have also indicated that they are willing to send tanks in coordination with the allies, as reported EFE.
Making sure Putin doesn’t win
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized that the delivery of the new tanks would add to Ukraine’s capabilities. Previously the kingdom shipped Challenger 2, since early January.
“Together, we are accelerating our efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace,” he said.
The Secretary General of NATO also said the same thing. He emphasized that Putin should not win the war.
“If we want the Ukrainians to be able to take back their territory, we need to provide them with more armor, more heavy and modern weapons,” said Jens Stoltenberg.
“We need that to ensure that President Putin doesn’t win this war,” he added.
“Ukraine has the right to defend itself. We have the right to support them in upholding that right.”
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