Belgium to deliver weapons to Ukraine, despite own shortage
Belgium is following a series of western countries in their decision to send more weapons to Ukraine. That was decided by the federal government on Friday.
The Ukrainian government is pushing for more and especially heavier weapons like tanks and heavy artillery to defend itself against Russia now that the battle is shifting to the more open eastern Donbas region.
The government is also contemplating to deliver a number of old tanks to Ukraine. Those were previously sold to OIP, a Belgian company that specializes in the modernization of armored fighting vehicles. Belgium can buy back the tanks at a higher price. The federal government has yet to agree to the buyback.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) explained on Thursday that almost 77 million euros worth of military equipment has already been delivered to Ukraine. 5,000 machine guns and 200 anti-tank weapons to be exact.
Belgium is also allocating 500,000 euros to support the investigation of the International Criminal Court. In addition, it will send a Disaster Victim Identification Team of the Federal Judicial Police to Ukraine. The team of 20 is not only specialized in the identification of victims, but can also determine the cause of death and whether crimes have been committed against the victims. The DVI was already active in Kosovo in the past, in the disaster with the MH17 and the attacks in Brussels, and even during the floods in Wallonia last summer.
(AS)
Russian servicemen carry out a military task to liberate the Lugansk Region on a T-72 tank. © Belga Photo Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS