Artillery for Ukraine: Denmark sets a precedent, urges European unity in support
While on stage at the Munich Security Conference, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed that European countries should increase their support for Ukraine. This can be done by donating surplus weapons. She asserted that lack of arms production should not be an excuse, as every country has some arms that are currently not in use.
6:46 PM EST, February 18, 2024
Right now, Ukraine is asking us for ammunition, for artillery. We in Denmark have decided to provide Ukraine with all our artillery. I must unfortunately tell you, my friends, there is still plenty of ammunition in Europe. This is not a production issue. Here, we have weapons, ammunition, and anti-air defences that we, ourselves, presently don't need. These are what we should be providing to Ukraine - stated the Danish Prime Minister.
Frederiksen referred back to the time of the coronavirus pandemic. She highlighted how Europe and the United States could rapidly invent and produce a vaccine in vast quantities. In her opinion, we can replicate the same efficiency level in producing required ammunition and weapons.
The "RBC Ukraine" platform notes that Denmark stands behind Ukraine militarily, humanitarily, and financially. This involves supporting the sanctions imposed on Russia. They have also joined the air coalition to train and transference F-16 fighters.
Russians have seized Avdiivka
Frederiksen's pledge to give Danish artillery to Ukraine was made shortly after the Russian Armed Forces pushed the Ukrainian military out of Avdiivka. Facing a shortage of ammunition, Ukrainian forces had no option but to leave the city.
The conferment of Ukrainian forces from Avdiivka was orchestrated as per a plan, drawn up considering various scenarios and potential alterations in the operational situation. However, during the final phase of the operation, a number of Ukrainian servicemen were taken as prisoners - remarked Gen. Oleksandr Tarnawski, commander of the Tauryda group.
On the other hand, General Oleksandr Syrski, the supreme commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, announced that the Ukrainians are determined to retake Avdiivka and Donetsk, in addition to all the locations captured by the Russian troops.
