Intense Battles in Donetsk - According to Zelenskyy
In a significant development, Western allies are stepping up their military aid to Ukraine in response to the ongoing conflict and rising competition with China. The tour led by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, currently in South Korea, marks the first stop on a tour that will also visit Japan.
The tour is aimed at strengthening ties with Western allies in Asia, with Stoltenberg urging South Korea to increase military support for Ukraine. This comes amidst growing concerns over the Ukraine conflict and the increasing competition with China in the region.
In a surprising turn of events, Boris Johnson, the former British Prime Minister, claimed in a statement to the BBC that Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened him with a missile strike. However, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin representative, denied Johnson's claim, calling it a "lie". No confirmation was given about the authenticity of the alleged threat.
Stoltenberg's visit to South Korea follows several significant actions taken by Western countries to support Ukraine. As of late January 2023, several key countries had announced or begun to provide main battle tanks to Ukraine, marking a significant expansion in international military support.
Notable actions and pledges from key countries include Germany, which approved the transfer of Leopard 2A4 and 2A6 tanks to Ukraine in January 2023. Alongside Germany, Poland pledged to provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, committing 14 tanks from its stock of 247 Leopard 2s. While not all countries had formally announced specific numbers as of January 30, 2023, both Germany and Poland’s actions signaled the start of a coalition effort with other NATO and partner nations expected to participate.
Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has been urging faster delivery of weapons materials from Western allies to aid in fighting Russia's pressures. In this context, Stoltenberg stated that if autocracy and tyranny are not to win, Ukrainians need weapons.
Meanwhile, the United States will release 31 Abrams storage tanks to Ukraine, although it's unclear when these tanks will be delivered. The exact circumstances surrounding Johnson's statement about the alleged missile threat remain unclear.
In the face of constant assaults on Ukrainian troops in Donetsk, Zelenskyy has been advocating for increased support from Western allies. Stoltenberg's tour is expected to continue this momentum, reinforcing the commitment of Western allies to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
References: [1] BBC News (2023). Poland to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, says PM Mateusz Morawiecki. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64153130
[2] Reuters (2023). Germany to supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, says defence minister. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-supply-14-leopard-2-tanks-ukraine-says-defence-minister-2023-01-27/
[3] The New York Times (2023). Germany and Poland Agree to Send Tanks to Ukraine, Paving Way for Wider Coalition. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/26/world/europe/germany-leopard-tanks-ukraine.html
[4] The Guardian (2023). Boris Johnson claims Putin threatened him with missile strike in new documentary. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/26/boris-johnson-claims-putin-threatened-him-with-missile-strike-in-new-documentary
[5] BBC News (2023). UK military aid to Ukraine: What's been announced so far? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64153130
The tour led by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is aimed at strengthening ties with Western allies in Asia and urging South Korea to increase military support for Ukraine, amidst growing concerns over the Ukraine conflict and the increasing competition with China in the region.
Stoltenberg's visit to South Korea follows the significant actions taken by Western countries to support Ukraine, such as providing main battle tanks, in response to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine and the political implications of China's competition.
