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Polish President Andrzej Duda (second left) speaks at an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photo/pap
MOSCOW – Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called the discussion on the supply of tanks to Ukraine at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, a “disgrace”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda used the WEF panel to ask Western countries to arrange “greater support” for Kiev amid its conflict with Russia.
“We hope that some partners, allies, will provide tanks to Ukraine,” Duda said.
Duda backed Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda who said he was “absolutely confident” Germany would provide Ukraine with Leopard tanks, although Berlin has yet to make a decision on the matter.
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“What a shame, to say the least… The Davos Forum is discussing… sending tanks to Ukraine,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.
“Before, at Davos, they discussed other things, like the economy and other things,” he said, adding, “It’s good that Russian companies missed this year’s event.”
“By pushing for the so-called tank coalition, Duda may in fact hope to bring about the long-awaited division of Ukraine in Warsaw,” said the former president, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council.
“But in this case one should not create a coalition, but rather create a collective document on surrendering the rotten Kiev regime to save people; and about the future configuration of what remains of Ukraine,” he wrote.
Earlier this week, the UK announced it would deliver 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks.
Poland and Finland also said they were ready to supply Ukraine with German-made Leopard 2 tanks from their own stockpiles. However, the move requires permission from Berlin, which has so far not been granted.
Moscow has long criticized the supply of weapons to Kiev by its Western backers, saying this only prolongs the fighting and increases the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
Commenting on the possible delivery of the Leopard and British Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that, “Tanks can catch fire and they will burn like any other (weapon).”
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