A group of more than 40 countries led by the United States is looking for ways to support Ukraine at a meeting in Ramstein, Germany. Defense Minister Mikko Savola (center) represents Finland at the meeting.
BRUSSELS Ukraine is hoping for decisions from the meeting on the delivery of heavy weapons such as battle tanks to the country.
Ukraine has announced that it needs 300-400 main battle tanks in addition to its current approximately 1,000 Soviet-made tanks of various levels.
The obstacle to the export of tanks has primarily been Germany, which so far has not granted export permits for German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks.
The issue of export permits divides the political field in Germany. Germany is worried about the possible expansion of the war if Ukraine is given heavy offensive weapons.
Will Germany bend?
Pressure to send in tanks is mounting. Britain is the first western country to announce that it will send Challenger 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.
– The politicians in Berlin seem to have painted themselves into a corner, an Estonian defense and security policy expert Martin Hurt reviews .
According to Hurt, it is possible that Germany will have to agree to send battle tanks. He does not believe that arms aid will escalate the war in Ukraine.
– Germany’s caution has been exaggerated.
Arms Aid is in a hurry
The Ramstein meeting is considered decisive for the course of the war in Ukraine. It is estimated that Russia will try to end the war with a major attack.
– There is no time to waste. Decisions must be made quickly, says an analyst at the Brussels-based EPC think tank Amanda Paul In an interview with .
According to Paul, Ukraine can take back the territories that belong to it, if there is no delay with the military aid.
According to him, more and more countries, including the United States, are aware of the urgency of aid.
Finland trains Ukrainian soldiers
During the Ramstein meeting, several countries announced an increase in armed aid to Ukraine.
Several NATO countries, such as Poland, Denmark, Latvia and Estonia, announced significant additional investments for Ukraine on Thursday.
Sweden announced that it will supply Ukraine with Swedish Archer artillery systems, about 50 assault tanks and anti-tank missiles.
Finland announced on Thursday that it will participate in the EU’s military operation supporting Ukraine with a maximum of 50 soldiers.
According to expert Martin Hurt, not all countries can be expected to publish accurate information about the amount or quality of arms aid.
– They inform Ukraine and other participating countries, but do not tell the media about their decisions.