New Western military aid to Ukraine
The war in Ukraine is taking on a new tone in the first days of the year and promises a new escalation in the conflict. This time it is France that has taken a step forward in sending military aid to Kiev. Its president, Emmanuel Macron, has confirmed that French-made light tanks will be sent to Ukrainian troops to counter the Russian invasion, making it the first NATO country to supply such armoured vehicles.
"France will provide AMX light combat tanks and will continue its support in terms of defence," he said after confirming this to Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenski in a telephone call. Macron assured on Twitter that France's aid will not weaken until peace is achieved in Europe.
Jusqu'à la victoire, jusqu'au retour de la paix en Europe, notre soutien à l'Ukraine ne faiblira pas. Je l'ai confirmé au Président Zelensky : la France va fournir des chars de combat légers et poursuivre son soutien en matière de défense aérienne.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 4, 2023
At the same time, preparations are beginning for the transfer of US Patriot defence systems to Ukraine, as agreed with President Joe Biden during Zelenski's whirlwind visit to Washington as part of the latest $1.85 billion US aid package. "We appreciate this big step taken by the United States and we are looking forward to their full transfer," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dimitro Kuleba, who stressed that the Ukrainian army would be better armed in the coming weeks.
Just this week Joe Biden said that Washington was considering sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles, a basic element for transporting troops that has been of great help to the American army. If such a shipment were to be made, Kiev could increase its firepower on the battlefield and strengthen trench warfare.
In response to Zelenski's demands, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg himself has recommended that Western countries prepare for the long term to provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine because the military campaign is expected to continue for months to come. Stoltenberg considered this continued military aid to Ukraine as the only solution to "convince Russia that it has to sit down with Ukraine to negotiate respect for a sovereign and independent nation in Europe".
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February last year, many Western countries have supplied arms. The US tops the list with 100 billion dollars, followed by the UK with 4.1 billion euros and Germany with 2.3 billion euros. Other countries such as Finland are preparing to send their eleventh military aid package worth almost 30 million euros, while Bulgaria and other European countries have already donated weapons to the Ukrainian army. In this sense, Morocco was the first African country to provide military aid.
All this without taking into account the financial and humanitarian aid that the European Union channels through the European Peace Fund, which also registers arms shipments, to which Spain has contributed more than 282 million euros.
Western military aid continues to arrive in Ukraine at a time when new advances by its troops are being recorded. The military authorities claim to have caused 80 casualties among Russian soldiers after an attack in the town of Tokmak, in Zaporiyia. However, the biggest attack this week has been in the Donetsk region, where Ukraine estimates that 800 Russian soldiers have been killed.
A disaster for Russia that Putin has blamed on calls from Russian soldiers to their families congratulating them on New Year's Day, which the Ukrainian army reportedly used to locate their positions. An argument that has increased the former KGB agent's domestic opposition, increasing public discontent and the possibility of a ceasefire.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conveyed to Putin in a telephone call this need to achieve peace through a "unilateral ceasefire" and a "vision for a just solution". The mediator also intends to convey this to Zelesnki. The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill, has joined in this request, calling for a truce for Christmas, the event that the believers of this confession celebrate on 7 January.
Coordinator for America: José Antonio Sierra
