Russia plans new offensives, so Ukraine needs more tanks and weapons

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called on NATO members to step up support for Kyiv, including tanks and other heavy equipment.

He said this in an interview with the German publication Welt.

"There are no signs that President Putin has changed his goal of dominating Ukraine. There is nothing to indicate that he is preparing for peace. He is willing to sacrifice tens of thousands of Russian soldiers in this totally unjustified war. He has mobilized over 200,000 troops, plans to mobilize more, and is actively working to get more weapons from other authoritarian states such as Iran and North Korea. We know that Russia is planning new offensives, and we must be prepared for them. That is why it is so important that we continue to strengthen our support for Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

He said most wars end at the negotiating table, but what Ukraine can achieve in such negotiations is inextricably linked to the military situation.

"Therefore, if we want to find a solution in which Ukraine survives as a sovereign and free country, we must act now. More heavy equipment for Ukraine is absolutely necessary. That's why I welcome any announcement of the supply of main battle tanks to Ukraine," the secretary general said.

Stoltenberg also believes that the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons is low at the moment.

"But Russian nuclear rhetoric is completely irresponsible. It is dangerous. Russia should know that a nuclear war can never be won, and therefore it should never be fought. Of course, we are watching very closely what Russia is doing, and so far we have not seen any changes in Russia's nuclear forces. If there were, we would certainly react," he said.

Author - Olena Madiak, 25/01/2023