Germany to offer Ukraine tanks as US convenes defence conference

Berlin (dpa) – The question of Ukraine’s long-term security and sovereignty will be the main topic for discussion as some 40 countries gather for a conference at a US air base in western Germany on Tuesday.

The defence ministers and other officials invited to Ramstein Air Base by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin are expected to focus on the country’s defence needs in the period following the war.

The US Department of Defense has made clear that the conference is not under NATO auspices. Non-members are reportedly among those invited.

Perhaps setting the tone for the meeting, it emerged early on Tuesday that Germany is to send anti-aircraft tanks directly to Ukraine, a change in policy for a country that has come under criticism for not sending heavier weaponry to help Ukraine repel the Russian invasion.

Under the plan, weapons company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will be given permission to send Cheetah anti-aircraft cannon tanks, known as Gepards in German, to Ukraine.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will manufacture the Gepards from tanks and spare parts already owned by Germany’s Bundeswehr, making modifications where necessary.

A formal announcement of the plan is expected during today’s conference.

The situation remained dire in Ukraine as delegates headed to Ramstein, with officials reporting multiple dead and wounded across the country due to continuing Russian attacks.

One rail worker was reported dead and four others injured after a series of Monday attacks on Ukrainian railway stations, the country’s rail provider said on its Telegram channel.

Four other deaths were reported in the Kharkiv region due to Russian gunfire. Five others were reported wounded, according to the region’s governor, Oleh Synyehubov, via Telegram.

Another four civilians were reported injured in the city of Kharkiv, where a 12-storey building was on fire. Two levels were burned out.

Russian attacks were also reported near the village of Bilopillia in the Sumy Oblast. The shots came from Russian territory. No injuries or damage were reported, according to the governor, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi.

There were also reports of a Russian attempt to break through lines of engagement near the city of Kherson, but Ukrainian sources said they were unsuccessful. However, the Ukrainians also said there had been an increase in gunfire and other attacks.

After Russian forces largely pulled back from Ukraine’s western regions following a stalled invasion and a failed attempt to take the Ukrainian capital Kiev, its forces are now focusing on the east, trying to establish a land bridge between the Donbass, much of which is held by pro-Russian separatists, and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

It is also thought that Russian forces are attempting to encircle the remaining Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine. Doing so would take a large part of Ukraine’s army out of action and be a significant blow to the country’s defences.

There have also been Russian reports of Ukrainian attacks on its territory. Those too cannot be independently confirmed.

In the run-up to the Ramstein conference, Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kiev, where they met with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday and agreed to provide Ukraine with additional military assistance.

They were also provided with important information on Ukraine’s defence requirements, the details of which are due to be discussed with the US’ partners and allies attending the conference.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week accused the US and Britain of urging Ukraine to stall talks between Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine has repeatedly said Russia is coming to the negotiating table with unreasonable demands, such as ceding large chunks of its territory.