Yuri Kobzar21:57, 02/23/24
Stoltenberg explained the situation with Western military assistance to Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the West was hesitant to give Ukraine weapons, but the situation in this regard is gradually progressing. He stated this in an interview with the publication “Current Time” .
Thus, the journalist asked him to comment on the thesis that the West gives Ukraine weapons only in quantities that are enough to defend themselves, but not enough to win the war.
“I think you have to admit that at the beginning of the war the world hesitated whether to provide the most modern weapons. But now everything has changed significantly,” Stoltenberg said in response.
He recalled that over time, Ukraine began to receive from partners not only ammunition and artillery systems, but also the most modern armored vehicles – Leopard and Abrams tanks, Marder and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The Secretary General also pointed out that Ukraine is receiving advanced air defense systems (NASAMS and Patriot) and cruise missiles (Storm Shadow and Scalp) from the West, and F-16 fighters are on the way.
“Support evolved as the war progressed,” Stoltenberg emphasized.
(C)UNIAN 2024
“Support evolved as the war progressed,” Stoltenberg emphasized.
Yeah, like a snail crawling through molasses, and Ukraine are still waiting for the weapons they need, not the ones the West wants to give them.
Some truth to that, Foccusser, but I also remember how ambassador Melnyk asked the German governments for “battleships” (amongs lots of other stuff our Bundeswehr doesn’t even have), so I suggest to limit the wishes to realistic demands. “Battleships” wouldn’t have helped at all (pls note that the Ukrainian navy preventively sunk their only corvette) and it would be impossible to deliver them to the Black Sea anyway. Better leave it to the military to prepare a list.
Ukraine need weapons to win this war, not just to defend themselves. Destroy russian logistics, you have won half the battle.
I’ve never heard about Melnyk asking for battleships, Mr. Gray. Either this is russian propaganda or a translation error. Either way, could you give please me a link to that, just out of curiosity?
Of course, if this is true, it would be ludicrous to ask for something like that.
It’s true, but Melnyk asked for these ships one month before mafia land invaded.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/01/19/germany-holds-its-ground-on-denying-weapons-for-ukraine/
Ok, “battleships” apparently was a translation error, but the unreasonable demand was widely repirted in German media: “Melnyk fordert Kampfjets und Kriegsschiffe für Ukraine” (Merkur)
Again, asking for warships made zero sense after the Ukrainian navy already scuttled its only corvette. And no Ukrainian warship would be allowed to pass the Bosporus. That’s why the minesweepers the UK donated before the war are still in a British port. So, fuhgedaboutit, artillery and air defence are much more important topics.
Well, Melnyk’s mouth was too loose for a diplomat, that’s for sure.
That’s the point, Mr. Ofp! Right, I think Melnyk had been under too much emotional strain and lost the cool that’s necessary for a diplomat. Thus his overeagerness to force deliveries for Ukraine, without regard for manners or political problems of the government. This wasn’t especially helpful, turned people up against Ukraine (of course, Putin supporters whipped up the flames).
Interestingly, after a timeout in Kyiv, Melnyks seems to be doing a solid job in Brazil now (difficult environment there, a BRIC state), without any scandals.
I’m glad for him and for Ukraine. I know how it is to lose your cool under these dire circumstances, especially when you see so much dithering and other things that are not good, not for Ukraine nor even for the free world.