A senior European Union official accused Russia on Friday of taking the war against Ukraine to a “different stage” by targeting civilians and non-military targets, prompting Germany and the United States to provide supplies. weapon level. military equipment for Ukraine for the country to better protect itself.
Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, the Secretary-General of the European Union’s European External Action Service, Stefano Sannino, said Russia had “moved from the concept of special operations to the concept of war against NATO and the West”.
“I think this latest development in terms of arms supplies is just an evolution of the situation and how Russia is starting to move the war into another phase,” Sannino said, adding that Putin is developing “indiscriminate attacks against civilians and against cities.”
He added that the EU’s latest actions are aimed “only to bring about the possibility of saving lives and allowing Ukrainians to defend (themselves) from these barbaric attacks”.
Tanks promised: The leaders of the United States and Germany both announced on Wednesday that they would be sending tank squads to Ukraine, reversing their long-standing anxiety about supplying Kiev with offensive and launching armored vehicles. powerful new tools in Ukraine’s effort to recapture Russian-held territory.
Announcement by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he will send tank Leopard 2 is combined with the announcement from US President Joe Biden that he is offering 31 M1 Abrams tank arrives in Ukraineoverturns the authorities’ longstanding opposition to requests from Kyiv for highly complex but maintenance-intensive vehicles.
The double announcements come at a landmark moment after weeks of intense pressure on Berlin from several NATO allies. The decisions are the result of a lengthy diplomatic process between Germany, the United States and other European allies, and come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a new Russian offensive in the spring this.
