Poland has emerged as a leader in NATO against Russia's unprovoked and criminal war on Ukraine. From accepting thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia's barbarity, to training Ukrainian forces, to taking the lead on providing planes and weapons to Ukraine, Poland has paved the way for other allies to follow. Today, marking another milestone in the fight, the first batch of Leopard tanks provided from Polish stocks have arrived in Ukraine, according to Polish President Andrzej Duda. Reuters reports:
"Officials did not give details on the number of tanks delivered to Kyiv at this stage, but Poland has earlier pledged that a company of Leopard tanks would be handed to Ukraine as part of coalition building.
'The prime minister couldn't be here, he went to Kyiv to bring Leopard tanks which are the first batch delivered to Ukraine,' President Andrzej Duda said in his opening remarks at the meeting in Warsaw.
Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak later said the tanks have already reached Ukraine."
Poland knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of Russian aggression, and they're willing to go the extra mile in supporting Ukraine, but not alone. They've expressed a willingness to train Ukrainian pilots in flying F-16s and are willing to supply some, but needs U.S. and NATO concurrence, which has not been forthcoming.
Meanwhile, Putin's servile coat holder and loose-talking warmonger Dmitry Medvedev suggested today that the only way Russia has lasting peace with Ukraine would be to "to push back the borders that threaten our country as far as possible, even if they are the borders of Poland." That would, obviously, trigger a NATO response and war. Recently, the diminutive Medvedev has also issued reckless warnings of using nuclear weapons, and engaged in threatening vitriol aimed at Ukraine, NATO and the U.S. His bluster would be concerning if he weren't so delusional about Russia's destiny and capabilities.
BONUS: Sweden's Leopards are also on the way --
Sweden is joining the "Leopard family" in support of Ukraine, through Swedish Leopard 2 tanks. Today's military package also includes further air defence components. We will continue to help Ukraine win the war.
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) February 24, 2023
BONUS II: But, despite hopeful signs, the West is still coming up short.
(photo: Polish Leopard tank on maneuvers. Wikimedia Commons)
