Czech Republic becomes first NATO member to provide military tanks & IFVs to Ukraine

In a bid to bolster Ukraine's defence against Russia, Czech Republic on Tuesday became first member of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to send tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to Kyiv. Reportedly, batch is first such delivery of heavy weapons to embattled ex-Soviet nation since Russian invasion started. Dozens of Russian-built T-72 tanks and armoured vehicles loed in a train were seen passing through Czech countryside yesterday, Times UK reported.

While government officials under conditions of anonymity confirmed that deployment of "essential military elements", including BVP-1 infantry vehicles, was for Ukraine, Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova refused to discuss details of said military aid. "I will only assure you that Czech Republic ... is helping Ukraine as much as it can and will continue to help with military equipment, both light and heavy," she told reporters. Czech public brocaster initially reported shipment on Twitter along with footage showing a train loed with five tanks and five fighting vehicles. delivery was a "gift" (to Ukraine) after being agreed by NATO allies, Czech Television said.

So far, Czech Republic has extended military aid worth nearly 1 billion crowns (approx. $45 million) to Ukraine since inception of all-out invasion by Russia. military supplies from European nation comes after Germany on April 1 okayed delivery of dozens of infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) after being slammed over insufficient military support to Kyiv. Meanwhile, NATO allies are expected to discuss more weapons supply to Ukraine as Foreign Ministers of member nations meet on April 6 and 7, General Secretary of international military alliance Jens Stoltenberg said.

Blinken arrives in Brussels for NATO FM meet

US State Secretary Antony Blinken on Wednesday arrived in Brussels to convene most-awaited Foreign Minister summit of NATO. Prior to heing for Belgium, Blinken asserted that meeting was crucial as foreign ministers of bloc expected to coordinate with ir allies and partners to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine. He also expressed angst over "horrific atrocities" allegedly carried out by retreating Russian forces in Bucha, a town on outskirts of Kyiv. "As I said, it's like a receding tide and we're seeing in very stark terms death and destruction that's being left in its wake. So, re's obviously a lot of focus on that," Blinken said.

At a presser before departing for Belgium, Stoltenberg informed that "NATO Allies are supporting investigations, including United Nations, and International Criminal Court. All facts must be established and all those responsible for se atrocities must be brought to justice." He also flagged that current developments indicate that Russian President Vlimir Putin's forces could aim for "entire Donbass region in coming weeks." Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is expected to attend NATO FM summit on April 7.

(Image: AP)