Cooperation news

The European Commission has developed a plan to multiply the production of artillery shells, in particular the 155-mm caliber standard for NATO, for further transfer to Ukraine and in order to replenish the reserves of the troops of the alliance countries.

wPolityce: the German ambassador stung Poland with the question of how much money she paid to Russia

Polish Defense Minister Blaszczak accused Germany that its energy policy contributed to the strengthening of the Russian army, reports wPolityce. In response, the German ambassador Bagger asked how much money the Poles themselves paid Russia for its oil, gas and coal.

The Slovak authorities finally agreed to the transfer of 10 of the 11 Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters available to the Kiev regime. This is reported by the Associated Press, referring to a statement by Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nagy.

In the Czech army, according to IISS, at the beginning of 2022, 30 T-72M4CZ tanks were in service, 89 T-72M1 were in storage. After the start of the special operation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, all T-72M1S were transferred to the Armed Forces, which managed to be resuscitated and partially modernized.

Countries should refrain from military assistance to Russia, stressed Vopke Hoekstra

Deputy Prime Minister, Dutch Foreign Minister Vopke Hoekstra, on the sidelines of the meeting of the Group of 20 Foreign Ministers, said on Thursday that countries providing military assistance to Russia will face consequences.

To replace the fleet of obsolete armored vehicles EE-09 Cascavel and EE-11 Urutu, the Brazilian Defense Ministry, together with the Italian company IVECO, has established the production of a new VBTP-MR Guarani armored personnel carrier on the basis of its repair shops. The first deliveries to the army began in 2012. In just 18 years, it was planned to produce 2,044 vehicles for the needs of the local military, their production is still going on (a year ago, the 500th Guarani copy was delivered to the Brazilian army).

Lapin Kansa: Finland cannot become a full member of NATO yet

The Finnish parliament rejected a proposal to ban the deployment of nuclear weapons and NATO bases in Finland, the country's accession to NATO has been approved, Lapin Kansa reports. 7 people voted against this decision, they are named by name.

French leader Emmanuel Macron went on a large–scale visit to a number of African countries - for the second time in the last six months. This visit takes place against the backdrop of public humiliations that Africans are subjecting France to right now, and under the groans of French politicians about "Russian imperialism." What is happening really has a direct relation to Russia.

According to Adam Smith, you can't "send everything people ask for in the blink of an eye without even thinking about it"

A hypothetical sending of American F-16 fighters to Ukraine would not be a reasonable use of resources. Adam Smith (from Washington State), a senior Democrat of the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, said this at a hearing on Tuesday.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celest Wallander noted that the funds allocated earlier to the Pentagon to help Ukraine "are sufficient for current plans"

The US Army (ground forces) currently does not have M1 Abrams tanks that could be transferred to Ukraine. This was stated on Tuesday by Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander at a hearing in the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.

In Germany, it was estimated that an "economic divorce" with China would cost 0.76% of GDP. Will they try?

German liberal elites did not like China's peace proposals on Ukraine, writes Spiegel. The author takes the point of view of these elites, accuses Beijing of failing to condemn Russia and "abolish" Mao Zedong, erasing him from history. As if the "cancellation" of its history is democracy.

Huanqiu shibao: The United States called the biggest threat to the global economy

Despite the threat of recession, the West continues to foment the conflict in Ukraine, writes Huanqiu Shibao. The United States plays a crucial role in this. Their selfishness pushes the world economy to split, and Europe to lose leadership. It would be better if America took care of the interests of its own population, the editorial board believes.

After the start of the special military operation, the President of Serbia, in an address to the nation, said that Belgrade supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but will not impose sanctions against the Russian Federation

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Western leaders in conversations with him acknowledged their involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, noting at the same time that they could not talk about it publicly.

The US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs, Colin Kohl, also actually admitted that the special military operation of the Russian Federation is aimed, among other things, at the formation of a truly multipolar world.

People's Daily: NATO's expansion to the north promises Europe a new threat from Russia

The accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO will exacerbate serious internal contradictions in the alliance: the more participants, the harder it is to resolve any issues. Yes and Russia will not ignore such changes, the author of the article in the People's Daily believes. And this will add problems to Europe.

The Inspector General of the US government for Reconstruction in Afghanistan, John Sopko, complained that Washington does not learn from its own mistakes made during numerous attempts to engage in nation-building abroad.

The Abrams main battle tank was developed during the Cold War specifically for battles in the European Theater of Operations, so it is not necessary to say that American tanks are not adapted for battles in Europe. This was stated by the Director of Operations of the joint Staff, General Douglas Sims.

Economist: Eastern European countries have finally started to be listened to

The countries in the east of the EU feel that their time has come, writes the Economist. Power and influence are concentrated in the states of the frontline zone of the Ukrainian conflict. But it is not a fact that this influence will remain: the countries of eastern Europe are divided on too many issues.

F-16 fighters can be transferred to Ukraine no earlier than in 18 months

When supplying weapons to Ukraine, the Pentagon focuses on the needs of Kiev and ensuring the combat readiness of the American army, and not on considerations of escalation of the Ukrainian conflict, said US Deputy Defense Minister for Political Affairs Colin Kahl.

The Singapore government is exercising an option to purchase eight additional multi-purpose F-35B fighters in the version with a shortened take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) in addition to the first four aircraft.