2023-04-23 06:22:05
The United States and NATO gathered in Germany for a meeting a few days ago, expressing confidence that Ukraine will regain more territory in the counterattack. The United States also announced that it will start training the Ukrainian army to use M1 Abrams tanks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video talk a few days ago that Ukraine is preparing for a counteroffensive. Prigozin, the founder of the Russian mercenary organization “Wagner Group”, expressed concern that the Ukrainian side would dispatch well-trained troops.
The United States and NATO pointed out at a meeting in Germany on the 21st that they believe that Ukraine can recover more lost ground in the much-anticipated counteroffensive, and vowed to firmly support Kiev. The meeting also focused on Ukraine’s air defense and ammunition needs. The U.S. said it would soon train the Ukrainian army to operate M1 Abrams tanks, while Germany announced an agreement with Poland to set up a Leopard 2 tank repair center in Poland to repair tanks deployed in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin confirmed that the delivery of 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks will be expedited. The United States chose to deliver the older M1A1 instead of the originally announced M1A2, hoping that Ukraine could get the tank faster. U.S. defense officials said that these tanks will arrive at the Grafenweg training ground in Germany in mid-to-late May, so that Ukrainians can learn how to operate them. It is expected that about 250 Ukrainian officers and soldiers will participate in the training, which will take about 10 weeks.
In addition, 6 Leopard 2A4 combat vehicles provided by Spain were transported on a cargo ship to Poland today, and are expected to be transferred to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said in his daily video talk on the 21st that Ukraine is preparing for a counteroffensive. “We are also actively preparing new brigades and other units that will be on the front lines,” he said, thanking allies for their commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
Zelensky also signed an order on the 22nd to release the decision of the National Security and Defense Committee of Ukraine on sanctions against 40 international individuals and 382 legal entities.
After Zelensky’s speech, the founder of the “Wagner Group” Prigozin also released a recording on the Telegram channel, expressing concern about Ukraine’s dispatch of well-trained troops to launch a counterattack. “Those who come from Germany will have technical training,” he said, referring to Ukrainian troops who will learn to operate American Abrams tanks in Germany.
Prigozin predicted that Ukraine would counterattack when the ground firmed up after the spring rains.
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