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The debate about supplying heavy battle tanks from the West to Ukraine to defend against Russian invaders is becoming increasingly concrete. After an initial push from Poland, Finland also showed a cautious willingness to hand over Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on Thursday. This increases the pressure on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Ampel government to respond to months of demands and requests from Kiev for heavy weapons.

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Finland ready under certain circumstances

If there is a common European approach to support Ukraine with battle tanks, a contribution from Finland is also needed, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö told the STT news agency on Thursday. However, Finland is in a special position because it is not yet a NATO member and borders directly on Russia. If tanks are transferred to Ukraine, the Finnish contribution cannot be particularly large.

According to STT, Finland has more than 200 German-made Leopard 2 tanks. As a rule, Berlin must approve the transfer of German-made armaments to third parties.

With a push to supply Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine, Poland increased pressure on Germany in Wednesday’s main battle tank supply debate. According to President Andrzej Duda, the country has already made the decision to provide the Ukrainians with 14 Leopard main battle tanks for a company as part of a coalition.

The Polish ambassador in Berlin, Dariusz Pawlos, promised that Warsaw could support an even larger scope of delivery. “Poland will demand the creation of larger military units that will be of military importance for the defense of Ukraine,” the diplomat told the Funke media group newspapers (Friday).

Zelenskyy continues «diplomatic marathon»

Away from the discussion of heavy tanks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continued his “diplomatic marathon”. He also expanded geographically with a conversation with Kenyan head of state William Ruto, Selenskyj said in his daily video address on Thursday evening. “Our foreign policy must reach a new level with African partners.” Africa has already recognized that the security of several countries depends directly on Ukrainian food exports.

Ukraine is one of the largest grain producers in the world. The Russian offensive war and the blockade of Ukrainian ports threatened a supply shortage in some countries.

Baerbock in Ethiopia: Putin is exacerbating the global food crisis

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of being responsible for the growing food shortages in the world due to the hunger crisis in Ethiopia. “The Russian president is using grain and using food as a weapon,” said the Green politician in the Ethiopian city of Adama when he visited the country’s largest grain depot of the UN’s World Food Program (WFP). “This exacerbates the dramatic situation of the global food supply as droughts continue to intensify in the world.”

There is a dramatic drought in Ethiopia. The country is heavily dependent on wheat and fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia. At the end of December, 25,000 tons of wheat from the Ukraine were supplied via Djibouti and are now awaiting distribution in Adama.

Kiev sends reinforcements and supplies to Soledar and Bakhmut

Ukrainian troops in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, which have been fighting off heavy Russian attacks for days, are receiving reinforcements and supplies. The soldiers there will also receive all the support they need, President Zelenskyj said after a general staff meeting in Kiev on Thursday.

The Russian army has been trying for several weeks to break through the Ukrainian defenses in this part of Ukraine. The mission is to bring the entire Donetsk region, which Moscow has already illegally annexed, under Russian control.

What will be important on Friday

The battle of Soledar and Bakhmut continues on the 324th day of the Russian offensive war against Ukraine. In Europe on Friday, the delivery of main battle tanks will be discussed further. (sda/dpa)