Tag: eyes

  • Ukraine’s neighbor eyes ‘strongest’ NATO army in Europe — RT World News

    Ukraine’s neighbor eyes ‘strongest’ NATO army in Europe — RT World News

    [ad_1]

    Poland’s military should be large and strong enough for its mere existence to deter “aggressors”, the defense minister says

    Poland wants to create the most powerful ground forces among the European members of NATO, the country’s defense minister has said. Mariusz Blaszczak made the remarks in an interview with Sieci magazine, excerpts of which were published on Sunday.

    The official said he views Russia, as well as its ally Belarus, as potential adversaries that should be deterred with a powerful military.

    “We are on the frontline, we border Russia in the north, and de-facto, in military terms, from the side of Belarus,” Blaszczak said, referring to Poland’s border with Russia’s Kaliningrad Region.

    Poland’s ambitious military plans would put it in competition with Germany, as earlier this year Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to make the Bundeswehr the “biggest conventional army” among European NATO states.

    Germany makes major announcement on army

    “The Polish Army must be so numerous and so strong that its very existence will scare the aggressor away. The Kremlin rulers do not hit the strong – when they see weakness, they attack. Both in terms of artillery and tanks, there will ultimately be no stronger country in Europe [than Poland],” the minister claimed.

    Blaszczak said that to protect itself from high-precision strikes – a capability Moscow has demonstrated during the Ukraine conflict – Poland has ordered US-made Patriot anti-aircraft systems, which are expected to be delivered this year. Warsaw will also procure an unspecified anti-aircraft system “identical” to British Sky Saber, the minister added without elaborating.

    Poland is currently trying to replenish its weapon stockpiles after it transferred over 200 Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukraine for use in the conflict with Russia. Last week, Blaszczak announced the purchase of some 116 used M1 Abrams main battle tanks from the US, on top of a separate deal to procure 250 new tanks.

    Warsaw initially sought to replenish its stocks with German Leopard 2 tanks, but the expected deal failed to materialize, with Polish President Andrzej Duda accusing Berlin of breaking its promise to replace Polish weaponry.

    You can share this story on social media:

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Live updates | Jan. 6 panel eyes Trump inaction during riot

    Live updates | Jan. 6 panel eyes Trump inaction during riot

    [ad_1]

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the hearing Thursday by the House committee investigating the Capitol riot (all times local):

    3:40 p.m.

    The Jan. 6 committee returns to prime time on Thursday evening with a hearing focusing on three-plus hours during the insurrection at the Capitol when then-President Donald Trump failed to act to stop the violence.

    The defeated president’s lies about a stolen election drove his supporters to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and despite pleas from aides, allies and even members of his family, Trump did nothing to rein in the mob.

    And what was Trump doing at the White House during those 187 minutes of inaction?

    One committee member says Trump was “gleefully” watching the riot unfold on television at the White House.

    Three hours and 7 minutes after the assault began, Trump released a video that day at 4:17 p.m., recorded in the Rose Garden, in which he praised the rioters as “very special,” but asked them to disperse.

    The hearing could be the committee’s final one after a series of public sessions over the past six weeks.

    Live testimony is expected from two former White House aides. They are Matt Pottinger, who was deputy national security adviser, and Sarah Matthews, a press aide. Both submitted their resignations on Jan. 6, 2021, after what they saw that day.

    Expect to see never-before-seen outtakes of a Jan. 7 video in which White House aides pleaded for Trump to make as a message of national healing for the country. The footage is said to show how Trump struggled to condemn hos supporters who violently breached the Capitol.

    Leading the hearing will be Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria of Virginia, a former Naval officer, and Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, who flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    The committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, is isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 and plans to attend the hearing by video.

    ___

    MORE ON THE COMMITTEE’S INVESTIGATION

    — White House insiders to talk about Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021

    — What to watch as Jan. 6 committee returns to prime time

    — Rep. Luria, Kinzinger put careers on line in riot investigation

    — Arizona GOP censures state House speaker after his Jan. 6 testimony

    — Steve Bannon’s defense seeks acquitta l then rests case

    ___

    Follow AP’s coverage of the Capitol riot: https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege

    [ad_2]

    Source link