Without European rearmament, NATO is setting itself up for failure – POLITICO

However, repeated warnings that, should Ukraine lose, Russia will reconstitute its land forces and be ready to attack NATO have resulted in little more than procrastination and indecisive action. And besides the countries along NATO’s Eastern flank, Europe’s political leaders continue to behave as though not much has changed, as their rhetoric has yet to … Read more

France to provide new missiles, used armored vehicles to Ukraine, defense minister says – POLITICO

France will send new surface-to-air missiles and old armored vehicles to Ukraine, the country’s defense minister said on Sunday.  Sébastien Lecornu told La Tribune Dimanche that President Emmanuel Macron had asked him to design a “new aid package” to help Kyiv defend against Russia’s invasion. This will “notably include old equipment from our armies, which … Read more

As ammo runs out, Ukraine still hopes it won’t need that ‘ride’ – POLITICO

In his office overlooking Khreshchatyk Street, the wide boulevard running through downtown Kyiv, Klitschko was dealing with the impact of missile strikes on the city the night before. “We need, right now, unity. We need to be united around the people whom we trust, and Zaluzhny, for two years, successfully helped us defend our homeland. … Read more

Czech Republic backtracks on finding cash to buy 800,000 shells for Ukraine – POLITICO

Prague is leading an initiative to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Kyiv. Overall, 18 countries have agreed to finance the purchases within the Czech-led initiative. While some governments — including from Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands — have announced actual financial commitments, others, such as France and Germany, haven’t provided exact figures. … Read more

Czechs raise funds to buy 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine – POLITICO

During the Munich Security Conference in February, Pavel announced the Czechs had figured out a way to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Ukraine from producers outside the EU.  The shells can be delivered within weeks if the funding is there, Pavel said. Since then, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, … Read more

With American aid to Ukraine stuck in limbo, defence minister says others must step up

Defence Minister Bill Blair says NATO countries like Canada must ramp up their aid to Ukraine as support from the United States languishes in a legislative quagmire. In an interview that aired Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Blair expressed optimism that the U.S. would eventually pass a significant aid bill to provide billions of dollars worth … Read more

Navalny’s death fails to move the dial for Republican Senator J.D. Vance – POLITICO

“Any peace settlement is going to require some significant territorial concessions from Ukraine, and you’re gonna have a peace deal, because that’s the only way out of the conflict,” he said. “We have to deal with reality.” At the Munich conference, such talk is verboten, as Ukraine tries to make the case for more artillery … Read more

Precision warfare on the cheap – POLITICO

This battlefield transparency is invaluable for artillery and air forces to attack targets. Until recently, “imprecision” would have been the kindest way to interpret the often thousands of rounds needed to assure some confidence that a target could be destroyed. And given the vagaries of weather, wind and a host of other factors, even with … Read more

Foreign minister says Canada-Ukraine security assurance deal could be reached in weeks

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada and Ukraine are in the final push when it comes to reaching an agreement on security “assurances” for the embattled country. Speaking from Ukraine in an interview airing Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Joly said the agreement would be a landmark moment for Ukraine; similar pacts are expected to be forged … Read more

How the West lost the plot on Serbia – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Dragan Đilas is the president of the Party of Freedom and Justice and a member of the Serbia Against Violence coalition. He served as the mayor of Belgrade (2008–2013) and the president of the Democratic Party, Serbia’s main opposition party (2012–2014). When Serbia was … Read more