When Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed Britain’s decision to send main battle tanks to Ukraine, he described it as “the most significant package of combat power to date”. The purpose he said was “to accelerate Ukrainian success”.
Western officials believe there’s a “window of opportunity” for Ukraine to push Russia forces back.
With the amount of time it’ll take Ukrainian troops to be trained on the new Western equipment, that appears to signal a spring offensive.
There’s a belief that Russia’s on the backfoot – despite making incremental gains in the east.
Western officials say that Moscow is running short of ammunition and trained troops – despite efforts to replenish stocks and to mobilise additional forces.
A senior UK defence source has told the BBC that Wallace has been trying to rally Western support over the past few months – to enable a renewed Ukrainian offensive.
Germany’s Leopard tanks are key to that equation, but the Germans have, so far, been resisting the growing pressure.
The US has long argued that European Nato allies should be contributing more for their own defence. With a war on its own doorstep, there’s an expectation for it to now act.
Source: BBC
