Ukraine’s allies arguing about tanks?

Defence officials from 50 countries are meeting in Ramstein, Germany, on Friday to agree on more military aid for Ukraine.

At the top of the list for discussion is whether they should send modern western-designed heavy battle tanks, an item until recently considered taboo for Kyiv’s allies.

Such tanks are deemed essential for Ukraine’s efforts to retake territory from Russia, which has mobilised 150,000 troops for a renewed offensive.

Moscow has also put the country’s defence industry on to a war footing in order to refit and rearm its forces. The next six months are critical, for both sides.

Some countries ready to send modern battle tanks?

To help Ukraine break the deadlock on the battlefield and retake its territory from Russian occupying forces.

 Tanks are a crucial element in so-called combined arms manoeuvre — mobile operations involving infantry and artillery — to take territory. Moreover, western tanks would give Ukraine an advantage over Russian ones because they have superior armour, more accurate cannon and better control and navigation systems — enabling night-time operations.