Kyiv renews its demand to also supply fighter jets and support the Navy. Meanwhile, the US Institute for War Studies expects a Russian offensive on February 24.
The Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk has again called on the federal government to give more leadership in supporting Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression.
“It’s about time that Germany actually does what it has announced, namely to play this leading role,” said Melnyk in the ZDF “Morgenmagazin”. This is expected of many partners in Europe and the world.
The former Ukrainian ambassador reiterated his call to the German government to supply 14 Leopard 2 tanks as well as fighter jets and to support the navy. “We need the Air Force, we need the Navy.” Germany is able to help with fighter jets like the Eurofighter and Tornado, he said. After all, the war against Russia cannot only be won on the ground. The federal government has so far refused to supply fighter jets to Ukraine.
Union faction leadership currently against western fighter jets
The top of the Union faction rejects a fighter jet delivery again at this point in time. Nothing should be ruled out in the medium term, said the parliamentary manager of the CDU/CSU MPs in the Bundestag, Thorsten Frei (CDU). At the moment, however, he sees no need for such deliveries to Kyiv.
The necessary steps must be taken to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression, said Frei. He again criticized the traffic light coalition’s decision to supply Leopard main battle tanks from Germany as too late. These cannot be used overnight. From Frei’s point of view, an earlier decision would have enabled Ukraine to better protect its lines, especially in connection with the delivery of Marder-type infantry fighting vehicles, which was also approved.
CSU regional group chief Alexander Dobrindt said there were no red lines in a dynamic battle. However, not all wishes could be fulfilled without impairing Germany’s own ability to defend itself. Now the quick implementation of the support, for example through the Leopard main battle tanks, must be in the foreground and not the demand for additional types of weapons such as combat aircraft, ships or submarines. In addition, it is a question of continuously producing supplies for the weapon systems made available to Ukraine.
ISW: Russian offensive possible around anniversary 24 Feb
According to the US Institute for War Studies (ISW), Ukraine expects a large-scale Russian offensive around the anniversary of the invasion in the second half of February. The Washington-based think tank wrote in its most recent report that a date around February 24, the day that marks the first anniversary of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, is a possibility, citing Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov, among others.
The think tank also quoted Russian military bloggers as saying that the time window for a successful Russian offensive is limited. The Russian military leadership is in a hurry to launch an offensive before Western military aid arrives in Ukraine. In addition, the thaw in the spring brings muddy ground and thus hinders fast offensive movements.
An earlier Russian offensive within ten days is also conceivable, the think tank wrote, citing the Financial Times. The newspaper quoted an unnamed source from Ukrainian military circles.
Source: Stern
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