KYIV/BERLIN, Jan 19 (Reuters) – Ukraine pleaded on Thursday for the West to lastly ship it heavy tanks because the defence chiefs of the United States and Germany headed for a showdown over weapons Kyiv says might resolve the destiny of the struggle.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will probably be in Germany on Thursday and meet its new defence minister, a day earlier than they host a gathering of dozens of allies to pledge weapons for Ukraine.

That assembly, on the U.S. Ramstein air base in Germany, has been billed as an opportunity to supply the arms to shift the struggle’s momentum in 2023.

Top of the agenda is heavy tanks, which Kyiv says it must fend off a brand new Russian onslaught and launch counter-offensives to recapture its occupied territory.

“We have no time, the world does not have this time,” Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, wrote on the Telegram messaging app on Thursday.

“The question of tanks for Ukraine must be closed as soon as possible,” he mentioned. “We are paying for the slowness with the lives of our Ukrainian people. It shouldn’t be like that.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made an analogous plea by video hyperlink to leaders gathered on the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, urging them to provide his nation earlier than Russia mounts its subsequent missile and armoured floor assaults.

“The supplies of Western tanks must outpace another invasion of Russian tanks,” Zelenskiy mentioned.

But for the West to ship tanks, Washington must resolve a stand-off with Berlin, which has thus far demurred from authorising international locations to ship its Leopard 2 tanks, workhorse of militaries throughout Europe.

Washington and many Western allies say the Leopards – which Germany made within the 1000’s through the Cold War and exported to its allies – are the one appropriate choice obtainable in large enough numbers.

A German authorities supply mentioned Berlin would raise its objections if Washington sends its personal Abrams tanks. But U.S. officers say the Abrams is inappropriate for Ukraine, as a result of it runs on turbine engines that use an excessive amount of gas for Kyiv’s strained logistics system to maintain them equipped on the entrance.

Poland and Finland have already mentioned they’d ship Leopards if Germany lifts its veto, and different international locations have indicated they’re prepared to take action as effectively. Britain added to the stress by breaking the taboo on heavy tanks final week, providing a squadron from its fleet of Challengers, although far fewer of those can be found than Leopards.

Colin Kahl, the Pentagon’s prime coverage adviser, mentioned on Wednesday Abrams tanks weren’t more likely to be included in Washington’s subsequent $2 billion army assist package deal, which is able to embrace Stryker armoured automobiles.

NOT THERE YET

“I just don’t think we’re there yet,” Kahl mentioned. “The Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment. It’s expensive. It’s hard to train on. It has a jet engine.”

Germany changed its defence minister this week and says the tank resolution is the primary merchandise on the agenda of the brand new minister, Boris Pistorius, as a consequence of meet Austin.

Ukraine, which has relied totally on Soviet-era T-72 tank variants, says the brand new tanks would give its troops the cellular firepower to drive out Russian troops in decisive battles.

Western tanks have simpler armour and higher weapons than Soviet-era counterparts, which have been destroyed of their tons of on either side through the 11 months of struggle in Ukraine.

Fighting has been concentrated within the south and east of Ukraine, after Russia’s preliminary assault from the north geared toward taking Kyiv was thwarted through the first months Russia’s “special military operation”.

After main Ukrainian positive aspects within the second half of 2022, the frontlines have largely been frozen in place over the previous two months, with neither facet making massive positive aspects regardless of heavy casualties in intense trench warfare.

“The situation on the frontline remains tough,” Zelenskiy mentioned in a video tackle on Wednesday. “We are seeing a gradual increase in the number of bombardments and attempts to conduct offensive actions by the invaders.”

Reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin and Reuters bureaux; Writing by Grant McCool and Himani Sarkar; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore and Angus MacSwan

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DNIPRO, Ukraine/KYIV, Jan 17 (Reuters) – Ukraine got here a step nearer on Tuesday to profitable the fleet of contemporary battle tanks it hopes might flip the course of the warfare in opposition to Russia, after the West’s huge holdout Germany stated this might be the primary merchandise on its new defence minister’s agenda.

In the central metropolis of Dnipro, authorities known as an finish to the search for survivors in the ruins of an condo constructing destroyed throughout Russian missile assaults on Saturday.

Forty-four individuals have been confirmed killed and 20 nonetheless unaccounted for in the assault, the deadliest for civilians of a three-month Russian missile bombardment marketing campaign. Seventy-nine individuals have been wounded and 39 rescued from the rubble.

Nearly 11 months after Russia invaded, Kyiv says a fleet of Western battle tanks would give its troops the cellular firepower to drive Russian troops out in decisive battles in 2023.

German-made Leopard battle tanks, workhorse of armies throughout Europe, are broadly seen as the one believable choice obtainable in ample numbers. But they can’t be delivered with out authorisation from Berlin, which has up to now demurred.

With Western allies assembly at a U.S. airbase in Germany on Friday to pledge army assist for Ukraine, Berlin is below intense strain to elevate its objections this week, in what could be probably the most consequential shifts in Western support up to now.

The determination sits on the desk of Germany’s new Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, named on Tuesday to exchange Christine Lambrecht, who stop after missteps together with a cheerful New Year’s message concerning the warfare that opponents known as tone deaf.

“When the person, when the minister of defence, is declared, this is the first question to be decided concretely,” German Economy Minister Robert Habeck informed Deutschlandfunk radio broadcaster on Tuesday, earlier than the appointment was introduced.

In his first feedback in the job, Pistorius, a regional politician seen as shut to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, made no point out of weapons for Ukraine: “I know the importance of the task,” he stated in a press release. “It is important to me to involve the soldiers closely and to take them with me.”

Pistorius is due to host U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday forward of Friday’s huge assembly of allies at Ramstein air base.

Germany has been cautious about approving weapons that may very well be seen as an escalation. But allies more and more argue that concern is misplaced, with Russia displaying no signal of backing down from its assault on its neighbour.

Britain broke the taboo over heavy tanks over the weekend, pledging a squadron of its Challengers. But it has too few to kind the idea of a Ukrainian drive. Washington’s Abrams tanks run on turbine engines, seen as burning an excessive amount of gas for Ukraine to discipline in giant numbers.

That leaves the Leopards, which Germany made in the 1000’s through the Cold War and which are actually fielded by armies throughout Europe. Poland and Finland have already stated they might ship Leopards if Berlin offers re-export approval.

“We hope and are trying to organise bigger support for Ukraine. We hope a few partners, allies, will give tanks to Ukraine,” Polish President Andrzej Duda stated on Tuesday on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In an indication of the stakes for Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a telephone name with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeyer on Tuesday, and a video question-and-answer session with German college students. He interrupted the latter to take what he stated was an pressing name from troops on the entrance.

CUDDLY TOYS AT MEMORIAL

Tens of 1000’s of individuals have been killed and hundreds of thousands pushed from their properties since Russia launched what it calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine in February final yr.

Ukrainian forces drove Russian troops again through the second half of 2022, however over the previous two months the entrance traces have largely been frozen in place regardless of each side enduring heavy losses in relentless preventing. Ukrainian officers say tanks could be key to breaking the stalemate.

Russia claims to have captured the small mining city of Soledar on the outskirts of the japanese metropolis of Bakhmut final week. Kyiv says it’s nonetheless preventing there: “Our units are located in Soledar and are constantly hitting the enemy with fire,” Serhiy Cherevaty, a Ukrainian army spokesman, stated.

Moscow, in the meantime, has turned since October to a tactic of raining missiles down on Ukrainian cities removed from the entrance, primarily concentrating on electrical energy infrastructure.

Russia says it goals to cut back Ukraine’s means to struggle; Kyiv says the assaults serve no army function and are meant to hurt civilians, a warfare crime.

In Dnipro, residents left flowers and cuddly toys at a makeshift memorial close to the condo block destroyed throughout Russia’s wave of missile assaults on Saturday.

A soldier staggered away, wiping away tears, after laying flowers on the seat of a transport shelter become a short lived monument to victims. A candle burned beside the rising pile of toys and bouquets.

“We came here to look, pay our respects. It is very tough, such a shame about lives lost,” stated 63-year-old Viktoria.

Moscow denies deliberately concentrating on civilians and blamed Ukraine’s air defences for the missile that hit the condo block. Kyiv says it was hit by a notoriously inaccurate Russian anti-ship missile for which Ukraine has no defences.

Russia attacked Ukraine on Feb. 24, saying Kyiv’s shut ties with the West created a safety risk. Ukraine and its Western allies name it an unprovoked warfare to seize land and impose Russia’s will on its neighbour.

Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Nick Macfie and Alex Richardson

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MOSCOW, Dec 25 (Reuters) – Russia is ready to negotiate with all events concerned within the battle in Ukraine however Kyiv and its Western backers have refused to interact in talks, President Vladimir Putin mentioned in an interview aired on Sunday.

Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has triggered probably the most lethal European battle since World War Two and the most important confrontation between Moscow and the West because the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

There is, to this point, little finish in sight to the battle.

The Kremlin says it can struggle till all its goals are achieved whereas Kyiv says it is not going to relaxation till each Russian soldier is ejected from all of its territory.

“We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved about acceptable solutions, but that is up to them – we are not the ones refusing to negotiate, they are,” Putin instructed Rossiya 1 state tv.

An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned Putin wanted to return to actuality and acknowledge it was Russia which didn’t want talks.

“Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens,” the adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted. “Russia doesn’t want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility.”

‘NO OTHER CHOICE’

Russian assaults on energy stations have left thousands and thousands with out electrical energy, and Zelenskiy mentioned Moscow would purpose to make the previous few days of 2022 darkish and tough.

“Russia has lost everything it could this year. … I know darkness will not prevent us from leading the occupiers to new defeats. But we have to be ready for any scenario,” he mentioned in a night video deal with.

The Ukrainian armed forces’ common workers mentioned there was nonetheless a menace of air and missile strikes on important infrastructure throughout the nation.

Russian troops had shelled dozens of cities and positions alongside the entrance line, it mentioned in a Facebook submit.

Zelenskiy, referring to a strike on the southern metropolis of Kherson on Saturday that officers say killed a minimum of 10 individuals, vowed, “We will find every Russian murderer”.

Putin accused the West of attempting to cleave Russia aside.

“I believe that we are acting in the right direction, we are defending our national interests, the interests of our citizens, our people. And we have no other choice but to protect our citizens,” Putin mentioned.

Asked if the geopolitical battle with the West was approaching a harmful stage, Putin mentioned: “I don’t think it’s so dangerous.”

Putin mentioned the West had begun the battle in 2014 by toppling a pro-Russian Ukrainian president within the Maidan Revolution protests.

Soon after, Russia annexed Crimea and Russian-backed separatist forces started combating in jap Ukraine.

“Actually, the fundamental thing here is the policy of our geopolitical opponents which is aimed at pulling apart Russia, historical Russia,” Putin mentioned.

Putin casts the battle in Ukraine, which he calls a “special military operation,” as a watershed second when Moscow lastly stood up to a Western bloc that he says has been in search of to destroy Russia because the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

Ukraine and the West say Putin has no justification for what they solid as an imperial-style battle of occupation.

Putin described Russia as a “unique country” and mentioned the overwhelming majority of its individuals had been united in wanting to defend it.

“As for the main part – the 99.9% of our citizens, our people who are ready to give everything for the interests of the Motherland – there is nothing unusual for me here,” Putin mentioned.

“This just once again convinces me that Russia is a unique country and that we have an exceptional people. This has been confirmed throughout the history of Russia’s existence.”

Additional reporting by Pavel Polityuk in Kyiv and David Ljunggren in Ottawa;
Editing by Gareth Jones, Diane Craft and Leslie Adler

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WARSAW, Oct 12 (Reuters) – Germany stated on Wednesday it was receiving much less oil however nonetheless had ample provides, after Poland discovered a leak within the Druzhba pipeline that delivers crude from Russia to Europe that Warsaw stated was most likely attributable to an accident moderately than sabotage.

The discovery of the leak in the primary route carrying oil to Germany, which operator PERN stated it discovered on Tuesday night, comes as Europe is on excessive alert over its power safety because it faces a extreme disaster within the aftermath of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine which has minimize provides of gasoline.

“Security of supply in Germany is currently guaranteed,” an economic system ministry spokesperson stated in an emailed assertion. “The refineries in Schwedt and Leuna continue to receive crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline.”

The Schwedt refinery, which provides 90% of Berlin’s gasoline, stated in an emailed assertion that deliveries have been going down at decreased capability.

Germany stated it hoped for extra info quickly from Poland about the reason for the leak and the way it may be repaired.

Europe has been on excessive alert over the safety of its power infrastructure since main leaks have been discovered final month within the Nord Stream 1 and a pair of gasoline pipelines working from Russia to Europe underneath the Baltic Sea. Both the West and Russia have blamed sabotage.

However, Poland’s high official answerable for power infrastructure, Mateusz Berger, informed Reuters by phone that the leak within the Druzhba pipeline was probably attributable to “accidental damage”.

“We are living in turbulent times, different connotations are possible, but at this stage we have no grounds at all to believe that,” he stated, when requested about the opportunity of sabotage.

Berger stated the leak was situated 70 km (44 miles) west from Plock, the place Poland’s largest refinery owned by PKN Orlen is situated. As a consequence, a part of the delivery capability in the direction of Germany was not out there, he stated, including that repairs would possible “not take long”.

PERN stated provides to Germany have been decreased however persevering with.

GERMAN, POLAND REFINERY SUPPLIES

The Druzhba oil pipeline, whose title means “friendship” in Russian, is among the world’s largest, supplying Russian oil to a lot of central Europe together with Germany, Poland, Belarus, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria.

Russia’s Transneft state-owned pipeline monopoly stated that oil continues to be pumped in the direction of Poland.

Poland’s PKN Orlen (PKN.WA) stated that oil provides to its Plock refinery weren’t interrupted whereas Czech pipeline operator MERO stated it had not seen any change in flows to the Czech Republic.

“The main action (we are taking) is to pump out the liquid and locate the leak and stop it,” hearth brigade spokesman Karol Kierzkowski informed state broadcaster TVP Info.

“When the pressure decreases, the leak will stop and allow us to reach the leak,” he stated, including that it was too early to set up the trigger and there was no hazard to the general public.

Firefighters within the mid-northern Kujawsko-Pomorskie area of Poland stated that they had pumped about 400 cubic metres of oil and water from the positioning of the leak which was in the course of a corn area.

The second line of the pipeline, and different parts of PERN’s infrastructure, have been working as regular, PERN stated.

“At this point, all PERN services (technical, operational, in-house fire brigade and environmental protection) are taking action in accordance with the algorithms provided for this type of situation,” the operator stated.

The complete capability of the western part of the pipeline that ships oil from central Poland to Germany is 27 million tonnes of crude oil per yr.

Germany’s Schwedt refinery is especially depending on Druzhba.

The German authorities goals to remove imports of oil from Russia by the top of the yr underneath European Union sanctions. But within the first seven months of the yr, Russia was nonetheless its high provider, accounting for simply over 30% of oil imports.

As Germany seems to be for different provides for Schwedt, Druzhba may very well be instrumental in supplying oil by way of the Polish port in Gdansk.

The German authorities has additionally been in talks to safe oil from Kazakhstan to provide Schwedt, however that oil would have to circulate to Germany by way of the Druzhba pipeline too.

Reporting by Reuters bureaus writing by Alan Charlish and Marek Strzelecki; Editing by Jan Harvey and Elaine Hardcastle

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