Germany is reportedly exploring diplomatic channels with India and Arab nations to secure additional artillery shells for Ukraine. Concerns about potential collapse of Kyiv’s defenses due to ammunition shortages prompted Western intelligence warnings. The US, Ukraine’s primary donor, has faced delays in providing defense aid due to Congressional approval issues. House Republicans link aid approval to US border control measures. As a result, Ukrainian forces recently retreated from Avdeevka in Donbass.
Germany, led by General Christian Freuding, is holding closed-door meetings to explore global ammunition sources, focusing on 155mm NATO-standard rounds. The urgency is palpable as top intelligence agencies warned during a meeting at the Munich Security Conference that Ukraine might lose the ability to hold the front line by June. To prevent such a scenario, swift artillery rounds supply to Kyiv becomes imperative, and Germany appears to be actively engaged in this endeavor.
Der Spiegel reported on Sunday that General Christian Freuding, overseeing the procurement of weapons for Ukraine, conducts biweekly closed-door meetings with national diplomats, chancellery staffers, and other officials. Their primary agenda revolves around identifying countries with considerable stocks of artillery shells and exploring the possibility of securing them for Ukraine. The urgency arises from the intelligence assessment that Ukraine’s defense could collapse if ammunition shortages are not swiftly addressed.
Germany’s focus is on 155mm NATO-standard rounds, and India emerges as a potential partner in this endeavor. India is estimated to have significant quantities of such artillery shells. However, due to India’s close relations with Russia, any potential deal would require discretion and intermediaries. Therefore, discreet negotiations are reportedly underway to ascertain if India could offer ammunition through intermediaries, maintaining secrecy.
In addition to India, Germany is exploring potential arrangements with Arab nations, as well as Balkan and African states. These regions might have stockpiles of the required ammunition or possess the capability to produce it. The discreet nature of negotiations aims to respect the preferences of nations that prefer to remain neutral on the Ukraine issue.
The precarious situation in Ukraine, highlighted by the retreat from Avdeevka and intelligence warnings, has elevated the need for swift and substantial support in the form of artillery rounds. Germany’s active engagement in diplomatic efforts to secure ammunition reflects the urgency and the global efforts to prevent further deterioration of Ukraine’s defense capabilities. As diplomatic channels are explored and negotiations continue, the international community closely watches the developments in this critical aspect of supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing conflict.
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Interesting news, but the title is false and clickbait. Germany is just figuring out if India could help Ukraine.