Ukraine Expects 'Strong Decisions' On Tanks As Nato Allies Pledge More Arms But Germany Holds Out

Zelenskyy expected "strong decisions" on further Western arms supplies at a key meeting of allies in Germany. The US Defence Department announced a security package of $2.5 billion.

New Delhi: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects "strong decisions" on further Western arms supplies at a key meeting of allies at the US Ramstein airbase in Germany on Friday, as reported by Reuters. "As we prepare for tomorrow's Ramstein, we expect strong decisions. We expect a powerful military support package from the United States," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The United States Defence Department on Thursday announced a security package worth $2.5 billion. The package includes Stryker armoured vehicles and more Bradley fighting vehicles, as reported by CNN.  The vehicles included in the package can be used against any Russian offensive in Ukraine. 

The package was announced just a day before the meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss more aid to Ukraine. The US has now committed $26.7 billion to Ukraine in security aid since the beginning of the war. The latest package announced on Thursday includes 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers and 59 more Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, CNN reported.

Along with the US, other countries have also announced support for Ukraine. The list of countries includes the UK, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.

The packages announced by various countries include UK - 600 Brimstone missiles by the UK, 19 French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzers from Denmark, Howitzers, ammunition, support vehicles and anti-tank grenade launchers from Estonia, Stinger air-defence systems, two helicopters, and drones from Latvia, anti-aircraft guns and two helicopters from Lithuania, S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 pieces of ammunition from Poland, reported BBC. The Czech Republic has pledged to produce large calibre ammunition, howitzers, and APCs.

Ahead of the talks, pressure has been growing on Berlin to approve the delivery of German-made Leopard 2 tanks, which are keenly sought after by officials in Kyiv to press offensives against Russian troops. Russia warned of an "extremely dangerous" escalation if NATO provides heavy weapons such as battle tanks and long-range missile systems to Ukraine, as reported by Al Jazeera.