Thomas Mackintosh
BBC News Live reporter

Image source, EPA

Plenty has been made about ongoing Western support for Ukraine, but let's have a look at the help Russia is getting from other countries.

Belarus is Russia's main ally, but while it has not become involved in the war directly, Belarus did allow Russian troops to use its territory to launch the invasion in February.

We also know Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones have been used in deadly attacks in Ukrainian cities.

In December Tehran initially denied supplying the weapons, but later admitted sending Moscow a limited number of drones, "many months" before the war.

Later that month the US accused North Korea of supplying battlefield missiles and rockets to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for use in Ukraine.

Both North Korea and Wagner denied the reports.

While China hasn't endorsed Russia's invasion it has grown trade and other ties with Moscow since it was launched last February.

Finally, although South Africa has adopted a neutral position in the conflict, its army confirmed yesterday reports that it will go-ahead with plans to hold a joint maritime exercise with China and Russia.

Privately-owned news website Daily Maverick reported Russia would be the lead nation in the naval exercise in Durban and Richards Bay adding it was "insensitive" for South Africa to conduct military drills with Russia.

Image source, Getty Images

Fighting is once again escalating in the Ukraine conflict, with the past seven days marked by a high number of civilian deaths.

• Last Saturday, a series of missile attacks were launched across Ukraine, including in the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa

• On Monday, it was confirmed that more than 40 people were killed on Saturday's missile strike on an apartment block in the eastern city of Dnipro

• Russia's President Vladimir Putin insisted his military did not strike the residential building, however Ukraine said the building was hit by a Russian Kh-22 missile
• Early on Wednesday morning, three key figures in Ukraine's interior ministry were killed in a helicopter crash near a nursery in Brovary- an eastern suburb of Kyiv
• Among those killed was Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky, 42, a close adviser to President Zelensky. There is no indication the crash was anything other than an accident
• The UK announced it would send 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukriane to bolster the country's war effort
• And Ukraine first lady Olena Zelenska addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, lobbying for greater Western aid

Chris Partridge
BBC weapons analyst

This latest round of military aid to Ukraine has been dominated by talk over supplying tanks.

Britain has committed 14 Challenger 2 units and all eyes are on Germany and what it will do with its Leopard tanks.

Germany has insisted that any other countries that have Leopards must have Berlin’s permission before supplying them to another country, like Ukraine.

Germany has said it will allow that, but only if the United States also supplies tanks, and so far Washington has not committed to sending M1 Abrams.

What of the United States sending M1 Abrams tanks? The reason it hasn’t happened so far, they say, is down tomaintenance and logistics issues.

The Pentagon said the reason is because the Abrams runs on ‘jet fuel’, whereas the European Challenger and Leopard tanks run on more widely-available diesel.

Image source, Reuters

The Abrams’ engine is a gas-turbine type and this gives it the advantage of good acceleration, low noise and a cleaner exhaust (important on the battlefield).

The disadvantage is that it has less range than its European counterparts.

But there is some confusion over this. The maker of the Abrams engine is Honeywell.

Its specification sheet for the AGT1500 power unit states that it runs on “diesel, jet fuel, gasoline and marine diesel” – so not just ‘jet fuel’.

There may be other reasons though why ‘jet fuel’ is specified by the Pentagon.

Image source, PA Media

Sending tanks and artillery guns to Ukraine to bolster the country's war effort will leave the British Army weaker, its chief said earlier this week

In an internal memo, sent to troops and seen by the BBC, Gen Sir Patrick Sanders argued that while Ukraine would put British donations to "good use" in the fight with Russia, the pledged aid would also leave the British Army "temporarily weaker".

The UK has committed to sending 14 Challenger 2 tanks to the front line.

Around 30 AS90s - large, self-propelled guns - are also expected to be delivered, as well as 600 radar-guided Brimstone missiles.

Gen Sanders, head of the British Army, told troops that ensuring Russia's defeat in Ukraine "makes us safer".

But he said it was vital the Army's "warfighting capability" was restored at pace.

"There is no doubt that our choice will impact our ability to mobilise the army against the acute and enduring threat Russia presents and meet our Nato obligations," he added.

Read more on this story here

Jonathan Beale
BBC defence correspondent

Image source, EPA

When Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed Britain’s decision to send main battle tanks to Ukraine, he described it as “the most significant package of combat power to date”. The purpose he said was “to accelerate Ukrainian success”.

Western officials believe there’s a “window of opportunity” for Ukraine to push Russia forces back.

With the amount of time it’ll take Ukrainian troops to be trained on the new Western equipment, that appears to signal a spring offensive.

There’s a belief that Russia’s on the backfoot – despite making incremental gains in the east.

Western officials say that Moscow is running short of ammunition and trained troops – despite efforts to replenish stocks and to mobilise additional forces.

A senior UK defence source has told the BBC that Wallace has been trying to rally Western support over the past few months - to enable a renewed Ukrainian offensive.

Germany’s Leopard tanks are key to that equation, but the Germans have, so far, been resisting the growing pressure.

The US has long argued that European Nato allies should be contributing more for their own defence. With a war on its own doorstep, there’s an expectation for it to now act.

Image source, .

Image source, EPA

The Kremlin has warned that Western tanks will make little difference on the ground as Ukraine's fight to repel the Russian invasion continues.

As defence leaders from more than 50 countries meet today in Germany, President Volodymr Zelensky has called for swift military support from Ukraine's allies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine's Western allies of adhering to "the dramatic delusion" of possible Ukrainian success on the battlefield.

Referring to pledges of artillery by Western allies, Peskov told reporters: "One should not exaggerate the importance of such supplies in terms of the ability to change something,"

"This will add problems for Ukraine, but this will change nothing in terms of the Russian side advancing on the path to achieving its goals."

Focus remains on German defence ministerpublished at 10:28 GMT 20 January 2023

10:28 GMT 20 January 2023

Jessica Parker
Reporting from Ramstein

Image source, EPA

President Zelensky had a clear message - he wanted to thank Western allies for the help they have provided so far, but made it clear Ukraine wants more military aid. And quickly.

The president spoke quite a lot about time, warning "Russia wants the power to destroy nations", and reiterating "the Kremlin must lose".

Zelensky stressed there is not a lot of time. His appeal took a double-pronged approach, talking about the time constraints and pressures they are under - but also the suffering Ukraine is enduring.

Obviously, there has been a huge amount of focus and concentration on the issue of battle tanks, and many people are watching to see what the new Defence Minister in Berlin, Boris Pistorius, has to say at this meeting.

We also heard from US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin talking about how this is a decisive moment for Ukraine.

All of this comes ahead of anticipated speculation of a potential Russian offensive in the spring, as the weather improves,

Andrew Harding, BBC News, Donbas region, eastern Ukraine

Image source, JOE PHUA

Plans to send fresh military hardware to the front lines in the Donbas have been greeted with visible excitement by Ukrainian forces, who have been taking heavy casualties in recent weeks, around Bakhmut - and, more particularly, during the ferocious struggle for the nearby town of Soledar.

"There were very heavy losses. It's very pitiful. It's hard," said Danylo, an officer in charge of repairing tanks for the 24th Mechanised Brigade.

He said the current deadlock would not be broken unless foreign tanks arrived in significant numbers.

"Yes, we'll be stuck here. We need these [Western tanks] to stop Russia's aggression. With infantry, covered by tanks, we'll win for sure," he told the BBC.

"Leopards, Challengers, Abrams - any foreign tank is good for us! I think we need at least 300. And we need them now!" said Bogdan, a 55-year-old Ukrainian volunteer.

"T-72s have proved effective in winter conditions. But they're old, and not really suited for modern warfare. These days it's all about drones and the latest technology," explains a senior company commander in the 24th Brigade, code name Khan.

He believes it would take very little time for his crews to adapt to more modern European equipment.

"If you're a tank driver you're already someone of above-average intelligence. They'll be able to learn and adapt quickly," he said.

The coming months could yet see Western tanks - if deployed quickly, and in large numbers - play a decisive role in the war.

Read more here.

Image source, Reuters

Back to Lloyd Austin who again vows to support Ukraine as he thanks President Volodymr Zelensky for his short address.

The US Defence Secretary then pauses the opening remarks to allow the media to leave the room.

Stay with us while we analyse what was said and more details which will come out later today.

President Zelensky says hundreds of tanks are needed for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia

"The war started by Russia does not allow delays," he told defence ministers from some 50 countries gathered in Ramstein.

"Hundreds of thank yous are not hundreds of tanks... time must become our common weapon," Ukraine's president says.

He urges the delegates not to allow a world order "where hatred will rule" and redouble their efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

"It is in your power to guarantee the artillery we need."

President Zelensky says he is truly grateful for the support and artillery sent by his allies and the West, but said there was no time to be wasted on words - calling for more weapons, and warning there is "no time for delay".

"Russia want to destroy universal human values," he warns

"You and I have to speed up...we have to do it."

He calls for "immediate help" as a parent reaches out to help its child

"Hatred will always will lose," he tells the delegates at Ramstein

Image source, Reuters

We are now hearing from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky who reiterates the message he gave earlier in the week about encouraging allies to speed up their response.

"The Kremlin must lose," he says.

"Russia wants the power to destroy nations and they talk openly about it in Moscow.

"Russia is concentrating its last forces trying to convince everyone that hatred can be stronger than the world

"That is why you and I have to speed up.

"We have to act fast."

He thanks those who help to defend Ukraine.

In his speech Lloyd Austin reflected on the recent missile strike in the city of Dnipro.

He said: "We saw the cruelty of Russia's war of choice again just a few days ago in the city of Dnipro.

A Russian missile strike ripped into an apartment building, killing at least 46 civilians, including children."

Austin went onto explain that the Kremlin's forces continue to disrupt Ukraine's cities and citizens.

He describes how Russian forces have targeted centres of Ukrainian history, saying: "Russia's attacks are designed to break the spirit of Ukraine, but they have failed and the people of Ukraine have inspired the world.

Meanwhile Russia is running out of ammunition and suffering significant battle losses. It's turning to its remaining partners to resupply its tragic and unnecessary invasion."

Image source, Reuters

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has laid out its latest military support package for Ukraine, listing out a variety of hardware they will provide to Ukraine - including Patriot air-defence systems, armoured personnel carriers and large amounts of ammunition.

One thing that was notably absent from the list were however, is the US military's cutting-edge main battle tank, the M1 Abrams.

When talking about Germany's plans while laying out other allies contributions, another notable absence is their own main battle tank - the Leopard 2.

Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The supply of tanks are the main request of Ukraine, with several European countries offering to supply them - but their supply is dependent on approval by Germany, as the Leopard's manufacturer.

Berlin has so far refused to give this permission, initially indicating they would only do so if the US offer supply Abrams.

The US military, for its part, has so far also refused to supply its cutting-edge main battle tank because it says they are hard to maintain and have a jet turbine.

Lloyd Austin continues his address, confirming that various European Union countries are continuing to help arm and equip Ukraine in its war effort.

He notes that Germany will provide a Patriot air-defence system and notes other countries including France, Canada and Poland are also helping.

"This is a crucial moment," he says.

"Russia is regrouping and recruiting. This is not a time to slow down.

"Ukrainian people are watching us, the Kremlin is watching us and history is watching us."

We're now hearing from US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at Ramstein Air Base in south-west Germany.

He starts by saying he is joined virtually by President Zelensky and pays tribute to those killed in the helicopter crash just outside Kyiv on Wednesday morning.

He says: "We are meeting at a turbulent time, but you can see the resolve and unity of this contact group.

"When Putin launched his reckless invasion a few months ago he thought the world would look away.

"He didn't count on the courage of the Ukrainian people.

"Russian forces have increased their horrific attacks killing many innocent Ukrainians."

Austin vows to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Image source, Reuters

Elsewhere in Ukraine, a nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia remains in a perilous situation, according to the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog.

Russian forces captured the plant in March last year and it has repeatedly come under fire leading to rising fears of a nuclear disaster.

International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has been trying to negotiate a safe zone around the plant, but he told the BBC the risk remains.

"We are under enormous danger," he says.

"There is something we can do about it. It might not be a panacea.

"It will be a great step forward because it would be high level political commitment not to attack the plant which is very important and not use the plant as a military platform."

Grossi has recently announced a plan for a permanent presence at all of Ukraine's nuclear plants.

Image source, .

Big decision for German minister two days into the jobpublished at 08:49 GMT 20 January 2023

08:49 GMT 20 January 2023

Jessica Parker
Reporting from Ramstein

Image source, Reuters

Dozens of journalists are here to cover these crunch talks.

It is dark as we meet in an area just outside Ramstein, before heading to the base.

Light snow starts to fall with temperatures hovering at around -3°C (26.6F) in this part of south-western Germany.

Unsurprisingly, security is tight to get onto the US base for a meeting that will bring together defence chiefs from around 50 countries.

All eyes are on Berlin’s new Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

Just days into the job, he’ll have to face other nations who are putting overt, public pressure on Berlin to release German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Image source, PA Media

The United States and several European countries pledged substantial new arms shipments to Ukraine yesterday ahead of today's meeting in Germany.

The US says a package worth $2.5bn (£2bn) will be sent, including armoured vehicles and air-defence systems to help Ukraine recapture territory and fend off any further Russian advances.

Yesterday's meeting saw nine countries - the UK, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, the Netherlands and Slovakia - promise more support.

The packages announced in a joint statement include:

• UK - 600 Brimstone missiles
• Denmark - 19 French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzers
• Estonia - howitzers, ammunition, support vehicles and anti-tank grenade launchers
• Latvia - Stinger air-defence systems, two helicopters, and drones
• Lithuania - anti-aircraft guns and two helicopters
• Poland - S-60 anti-aircraft guns with 70,000 pieces of ammunition
• Czech Republic - produce further large calibre ammunition, howitzers and APCs

The Netherlands will announce its package of support today.

Jessica Parker
Reporting from Ramstein

Britain’s announcement that it’s sending Challenger tanks to Ukraine has upped the pressure on allies to follow suit, particularly Berlin.

Finland and Poland are willing to give Kyiv German-made Leopard 2 tanks - but they need Berlin’s permission.

However Poland’s suggested it may not wait.

The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who’s voiced concerns about escalating the conflict, must also decide whether to commit any of his country’s own tanks.

Such a move appears to be contingent on the US taking similar steps.

Several European nations, including the UK, yesterday pledged to keep pushing for unprecedented deliveries of military aid.

With speculation Russia may mount a spring offensive some argue that it’s also important to send a political signal to Moscow that Western will isn’t waning.