NATO is in no hurry to share military equipment with Ukraine

04/05/2022 13:45 GMT+7

Accordingly, Kiev military officials are asking for more weapons aid from the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, most of them are in no hurry to divide their assets. For example, the UK refused to supply the Challenger 2 main battle tank, but promised to supply the 155 mm AS-90 self-propelled howitzer, which is said to have already begun arriving in Poland.

Meanwhile, the US decided to look for T-72s for Ukraine, but where is still unclear, it is possible that they will be requested from Eastern European countries, which still have this type of tank in service, or from third-party countries from which the device was previously purchased.

President Volodymyr Zelensky repeatedly called on the West to provide weapons and military equipment to Ukraine in the context that the country is facing an arms shortage due to Russia’s prolonged military campaign. (Image: Wikimedia)

According to Welt, the Armed Forces of Ukraine want to get 100 Marder infantry fighting vehicles from Germany, which, although their production was completed in 1975, are still in service today.

Of the more than 2,000 units, about 400 are currently in service. One of them has undergone major upgrades, which improve protection from both small caliber projectiles and mines as well as high explosives. However, so far Germany has refused to provide this equipment, Berlin only agreed to send BMP-1s.

Earlier, at the Extraordinary Summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on March 24, in a joint statement, NATO member countries reaffirmed their commitment to continue aid, both militarily. and humanitarian assistance to Kiev, while emphasizing the responsibility to ensure that the conflict in Ukraine does not escalate.

Responding to the call to provide offensive weapons that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky made in his online speech at the conference, namely to send to Kiev “1% of the total number of fighters, 1% of the total number of tanks. of NATO”.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized: “We provide assistance to Ukraine but are not part of the conflict. NATO will not send troops to Ukraine.”

Stoltenberg also reiterated that “NATO will not send troops or planes to Ukraine”.

Previously, NATO did not respond when President Zelensky called for the application of a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Secretary General Stoltenberg once stated, “NATO is not part of the conflict”. According to Stoltenberg, NATO is a defensive alliance and “does not seek war or conflict with Russia”.

Peace (translation summary)