Croatian President Criticizes Western Decision to Arm Ukraine with Tanks
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has been outspoken in his criticism of the Western decision to send battle tanks to Ukraine.[0] The US and Germany recently announced they would arm Ukraine with dozens of heavy tanks, while other countries in Europe have also dispatched tanks to the country.[1]
Milanovic has condemned the West's decision to send German tanks to Ukraine, warning that continued military escalation will not help bring the conflict to an end.[2] He asked, “What is the goal of this war? A war against a nuclear power that is at war in another country? Is there a conventional way to defeat such a country?”[1]
At a press conference, Milanovic declared his opposition to sending any deadly weapons to the specified location.[1] The war is prolonged by it.[1] He also noted, “Not a single American tank will go to Ukraine in a year. Only German tanks will be sent there.”[1]
Russian military analysts have argued that while Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks may prove superior to older models of Soviet-built ones, newer Russian models are more closely matched.[3] It was observed that the Leopard 2 tanks utilized by the Turkish military to fight the Kurds in Syria were susceptible to Soviet anti-tank weapons.[3]
Milanovic has been accused of having a pro-Russia stance, which he has consistently denied.[0] He said, “From 2014 to 2022, we are watching how someone provokes Russia with the intention of starting this war.”[0] He added, “Who pays the price? Europe. America pays the least. A year has passed and we are only now talking about tanks.”[0]
His latest anti-Western outbursts have embarrassed and irritated the country's government, which has fully supported Ukraine in its fight against Russia's aggression.[0] However, Croatia still remains a part of NATO, and Milanovic has opposed the admission of Finland and Sweden into the alliance and has refused to host training of Ukrainian troops in Croatia.[0]
0. “Croatian president slams Western arms to Ukraine” msnNOW, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/croatian-president-slams-western-arms-to-ukraine/ar-AA16TXnf
1. “Croatian President Warns US Tanks in Ukraine Only ‘Prolongs the War'” Common Dreams, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.commondreams.org/news/croatian-president-ukraine
2. “Croatia Criticizes NATO Chief's Visit to South Korea & Japan” teleSUR English, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Croatia-Criticizes-NATO-Chiefs-Visit-to-South-Korea–Japan-20230130-0010.html
3. “Russia: NATO war involvement ‘growing’ with arms to Ukraine” Al Jazeera English, 26 Jan. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/26/russia-nato-war-involvement-growing-with-arms-to-ukraine
