Speaking on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in the battle of Stalingrad, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was “once again threatened by fascism” and Moscow must continue to “stand up against Western forces”.
“It’s unbelievable, but it’s true: once again, we are threatened by the German tank – Leopard,” the Russian leader said, referring to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin warned those seeking to drag Germany into a new war, stressing that “the war with Russia today will be completely different”.
“The great powers that try to wage a war against Russia will receive a tough response,” President Vladimir Putin said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Sputnik
Germany has agreed to supply 14 Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine after months of pressure from the US and Ukraine. This decision was accompanied by Washington’s announcement that it would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Kiev.
However, Ukraine called on the West to provide more advanced weapons, including fighter jets.
Sputnik on January 29 reported that Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk hoped that Germany could deploy one or more submarines, even destroyers, to Ukraine to “drive the Russian fleet out of the Black Sea”.
In a series of messages posted on Twitter on January 28 and 29, Mr. Melnyk – former ambassador of Ukraine to Germany – stated why Berlin should send submarines or destroyers: “Germany produced one of the ships the best submarine in the world. The German military has 6 such submarines. Why didn’t they send one to Ukraine?” Mr. Melnyk was referring to the Type 212A diesel-electric attack submarine built by German defense and steel giant ThyssenKrupp AG.
Mr. Melnyk also called on Germany to provide the Lubeck destroyer or at least a short-range anti-missile system on board and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on January 29 reiterated that his country will not send fighter jets to Ukraine.
“There is no war between NATO and Russia. We will not allow such an escalation,” Scholz said.