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Forums - Politics Discussion - Russia and Ukraine flashpoint

Pentagon Sends U.S. Arms Stored in Israel to Ukraine - The New York Times

About half of the 300,000 rounds destined for Ukraine have already been shipped to Europe and will eventually be delivered through Poland, Israeli and American officials said.

The Ukrainian army uses about 90,000 artillery rounds a month, about twice the rate they are being manufactured by the United States and European countries combined, U.S. and Western officials say. The rest must come from other sources, including existing stockpiles or commercial sales.

Other factors may ease the pressure for more shells. Russia's artillery fire has reduced sharply in recent weeks, Pentagon officials said, possibly reflecting rationing of rounds because of low supplies. White House officials said in November that North Korea was shipping artillery shells to Russia, another sign of likely munitions shortages, U.S. officials said.

Finally, the United States is helping Ukraine use ammunition more efficiently. The Ukrainians have been firing so many artillery barrages that about a third of the 155-millimeter howitzers provided by the United States and other Western nations are out of commission for repairs.

From Davos: Tank Trauma and a World on Fire - POLITICO

Step up, please: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told Playbook in an interview that Germany should not only step up — but that he expects Berlin will sign off on sending tanks at a key meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday.

Not alone: Landsbergis said that now that the U.K. has committed to sending tanks to Ukraine, Berlin's wish to avoid sole responsibility is dealt with: "Germany would not be just a single country sending tanks." Landsbergis said he "would not be surprised" if Friday's meeting leads to a tank delivery agreement.

Not just tanks: Landsbergis also wants Western allies to send jets. "I think that Ukrainians could learn to use Western fighter jets," he told Suzanne. Would that risk escalating things with Russia? "My main worry is the opposite. What we feel, and what we fear being so close to where the conflict is, is that Western assistance is slowing down."



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The EU and its member states need to increase their military, political and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and strengthen their defence in countering Russian threats to European security, MEPs say in their annual Common Foreign and Security Policy report adopted on Wednesday by 407 votes in favour, 92 against and 142 abstentions.

  • EU should increase military help to Ukraine, including lethal and heavy weaponry
  • MEPs urge German Chancellor Scholz to deliver Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine
  • Scrap unanimity voting for decisions without military implications, in particular on sanctions and human rights
  • MEPs call for a permanent EU seat in the UN Security Council

European Parliament



Minister Anand announced that Canada will donate 200 Senator Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to Ukraine, at a value of over $90 million. This new package of military assistance responds to a specific Ukrainian request for these vehicles, which are being purchased from Roshel, a Canadian company based in Mississauga, Ontario.

Canadian Military Support to Ukraine



Bring on Ramstein.

If it's not about escalation then send them ATACMS at least.



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That German tank thing seems to tank in the very sense of the word.
Leopard 1s have been in unattended storage for decades, meaning they have pretty much rotten away (electronics, cabling, etc) and need a total rebuild (if spare parts are even still available at all).
Leopard 2s in storage are in somewhat better shape, but still need repairs. The only usable Leopards are those in regular use by the German military and they are not going to donate those.
It seems clearer now why Scholz has been stonewalling as long as he could. He's either an idiot or has known the dilemma for weeks. Or both.



This package will not include the long-range Army Tactical Missile System that can reach Moscow, according to two of the people. The Biden administration has balked at sending long-range munitions, despite Kyiv's pleas, for fear of provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Prepping Major Military Package for Ukraine - POLITICO

Sigh.

Suppose 150km is better, it's not 300km better though.



Okay that looks good.