EU Okays 542-M Euro Military Package For Ukraine

The European Union (EU) has approved a new 542-million-euro military aid package to Ukraine. The 500 million military aid consists of defensive and offensive weapons while 45 million euros will be earmarked for non-lethal equipment, Ukraine Daily reported.

Photo Insert: Kyiv expects the battle for Donbas to intensify in February-March amid Russia's desperate attempt to capture the region.

Kyiv expects the battle for Donbas to intensify in February-March amid Russia's desperate attempt to capture the region. Russian forces will likely intensify their offensive in eastern Ukraine in the coming months, Deputy Ukrainian Military Intelligence Chief Vadym Skibitsky told Kyiv Independent.

To thumb Russia’s nose, Estonia said it is shipping all its 155-mm howitzers to Ukraine.

"We want to create a precedent so that other countries will not have any excuses why they cannot provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons to win the war," said Estonian Ambassador to Ukraine Kaimo Kuusk.

Bradley fighting vehicles from the US will arrive in Ukraine within a few weeks, Voice of America (VOA) reported, citing an anonymous Pentagon official.

Sweden is also set to provide Ukraine with equipment to restore its energy supply, with the state-owned grid operator Svenska Kraftnat transferring the materials immediately, Stockholm disclosed.

Meanwhile, Poland said it has applied with Germany to secure approval for the transfer of Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

“Even if we did not get this approval, we would still transfer our tanks together with others to Ukraine," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at a news conference, saying that Germany's consent is "of secondary importance."

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