Putin sends chilling threat to West over tanks deliveries to Ukraine

Ukraine: President Zelensky announces coalition of modern tanks

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Vladimir Putin sent a stern warning to the West after NATO allies agreed to aid Ukraine with armoured tanks. The Russian leader warned he will “respond” to the decision with means other than tanks, hinting at an escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

He said: “Those who involve Germany in a new war with Russia, and even more, irresponsibly declare it as an accomplished fact, those who expect to win over Russia on the battlefield, probably do not understand that the modern war with Russia will be completely different for them.

“We do not send our tanks to their borders. But we have something to respond with, and the matter will not end with the use of armoured vehicles. Everyone should understand that.”

He also added: “We have many friends. Moreover, all over the world, in particular on the American continent, in North America, in Europe.”

Since the war began, Western leaders have baulked at some of Ukraine’s requests, such as for longer-range missiles and tanks, only to agree later.

Ukraine’s defence minister expressed confidence Sunday that Western allies would agree to the country’s latest weapons request — warplanes to fight off Russian forces that invaded nearly a year ago.

Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov told a news conference in Kyiv that Ukraine has already received everything from its “wish list to Santa,” except planes.

“There will be planes, too,” Reznikov predicted. “The question is just what kind exactly…. Consider that this mission is already completed.”

So far, Ukraine has won support from Baltic nations and Poland in its quest to obtain Western fighter jets. But several Western leaders have expressed concern that providing warplanes could provoke the Kremlin and draw their countries deeper into the conflict, which has cost tens of thousands of lives and wreaked massive destruction.

Kyiv says such jets are essential to challenging Russia’s air superiority and ensuring success in a Russian offensive that Reznikov predicted could begin around the war’s one-year anniversary, February 24.

“Not all Western weapons will arrive by then, but we have the resources and reserves to help stabilise and sustain the offensive,” Reznikov told reporters.

Ukraine has relocated its warplanes and concealed air defence assets, hampering Moscow’s efforts to gain full control of the skies. After suffering early losses, the Russian air force has avoided venturing deep into Ukraine’s airspace and is mostly focused on close front-line support.

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German-made tanks are on the way to Ukraine. Reznikov said his forces would begin training on Leopard tanks in Europe on Monday, before their delivery to Ukraine. So far, Canada, Poland, Germany, Great Britain and the United States have announced they will supply tanks to Ukraine.

The Kremlin has said Western countries’ supply of increasingly sophisticated and more weapons will only prolong the conflict, and it has characterised NATO as a direct participant. Reznikov, commenting on the supply of Western weapons and the state of the Ukrainian army, took the rhetoric further on Sunday, telling reporters: “I absolutely boldly claim that we have become a de facto NATO country. We only have a de jure part left.”

Ukraine has applied to join NATO, as have two of Russia’s other neighbours, Finland and Sweden.

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