The Latvian ambassador to Ukraine, Ilgvars Klava, said during an interview on Latvian Television this morning that the Ukrainian military is doing OK with artillery shells, but there is a shortage of heavy equipment at this time.
Ukraine’s defence capabilities remain strong, the envoy said. Russia is moving forward in small steps and paying a very high and disproportionate price for small tactical successes.
The hunger for artillery shells in the Ukrainian army has abated, but there is still a shortage of heavy armoured vehicles, and that reduces mobility and firepower, Klava said. There are also shortages in air defence systems.
There are various options for eventual peace guarantees, but no peace plan exists at this time, the ambassador added. Various meetings are taking place, but no concrete plans are being discussed at this time: “We are still very far from the moment when allied troops might appear in Ukraine, and that will depend on the terms of the possible ceasefire.”
Klava believes that it will take a lot of time before the two combating countries agree, adding that this will depend upon the principes to which both sides can agree.
The ambassador is convinced that Ukraine will not be a priority for the incoming administration in the United States, which will want a quicker end to the war.
Ukraine is currently undergoing extensive renovation of its energy infrastructure in an attempt to prepare for winter in the face of Russian attacks on this type of equipment, Klava added.
Source: BNS
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