Page 33 - RusRPTFeb23

The German Social Democrats party supports heavy weapon supplies for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government will continue to send heavy weaponry to Ukraine to help it in its fight against Russia’s invasion. Lars Klingbeil, the co-leader of Scholz’s ruling Social Democrats, told reporters in Berlin that his party is backing the chancellor’s course without limit, including Scholz’s latest decision, in tandem with the US, to supply Ukraine with armored infantry fighting vehicles and an additional Patriot air-defence system. Scholz has won praise from his domestic allies for pledging to send 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. But, according to Bloomberg, some of his coalition partners have called on him to go further by giving Ukraine NATO-grade Leopard 2 battle tanks.
The EU plans to approve the 10th package of sanctions against Russia, but Hungary may become an obstacle. The European Union wants to implement a new sanctions package against the Russian Federation before the Ukraine-EU summit scheduled for early February. However, Hungary may delay the process. According to PAP, the EU will try to impose sanctions on the export of Russian diamonds, which earns the country approximately €4.5B annually. The new sanctions will also apply to products that could potentially be used by the Russian military and to persons responsible for Russian aggression against Ukraine. As for restrictions on Belarus, the new package will provide for the synchronization of sanctions with the existing Russian sanctions, particularly in those areas where Minsk cooperates with Moscow. Given that the adoption of sanctions in the EU requires unanimity, some diplomats fear that Hungary may again delay the introduction of new restrictions. Orban’s government has already stated its disapproval with some names on the sanction lists.
London might provide Ukraine with up to 50 tanks. The former head of the General Staff of Great Britain, General Richard Dunnatt, believes that Britain would need to send up to 50 Challenger tanks to change the situation in Ukraine, reported Sky News. If this decision is adopted, Britain will become the first to send Western-made main battle tanks to Ukraine. Richard Dunnatt added, It seems that 12 tanks are too symbolic, and I would suggest sending 25 or 30 or even 50, which would have real consequences. He explained that Ukraine is likely to see some form of an offensive by Russia in late winter or early spring, so additional support from the West is needed even more.
Serbia calls on Russia to stop recruiting its citizens as mercenaries for war in Ukraine. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticized Russian websites and social media groups that publish recruitment ads by Russian state-backed mercenary company Wagner Group, a private army of tens of thousands which has played a prominent role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Russian military 'may be setting conditions' for attack on Ukraine from Belarus, although not in nearest future. The Institute for the Study of War predicts that Russia’s attack on Ukraine from Belarus is more plausible at the
33 RUSSIA Country Report February 2023 www.intellinews.com