Explaining complex things in simple words: Artillery Coalition, NATO exercise, Hungary issue in the EU

ARTILLERY COALITION

On January 18, an artillery coalition in support of Ukraine was officially launched in Paris.

[▪]  The artillery coalition is headed by France and the United States; it has brought together 23 countries and will become one of the components of the contact group on defence of Ukraine in the Ramstein format.

[▪]  Artillery is critical to combat land operations. The artillery coalition will make efforts to meet Ukraine's defence and counteroffensive needs during the 2024 campaign.

[▪]  The long-term goal of the coalition is the complete transition of Ukraine from Soviet to Western artillery and the achievement of NATO standards in this area.

[▪]  The goals of the artillery coalition are synchronized with the EU plans to provide Ukraine with a million shell rounds by the spring of this year.

[▪]  France, which initiated the artillery coalition, stated that it would provide Ukraine with 40 SCALP long-range cruise missiles, as well as 50 AASM Hammer guided bombs (A2SM) each month.

NATO EXERCISE

Next week, NATO Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise will begin, which will last until May.

[▪]  About 90,000 troops will take part in the exercise to be conducted in Germany, Poland, and the Baltic countries. This is the largest exercise of the Alliance since the end of the Cold War.

[▪]  NATO will demonstrate its ability to strengthen the Euro-Atlantic area through the transatlantic movement of forces from North America.

[▪]  The exercises will simulate the outbreak of war as a result of an attack by an imaginary enemy (Occasus), similar to Russia, on one of the NATO member countries.

[▪]  The large-scale Steadfast Defender 2024 exercise is a response to threats to regional security posed by Russia's war against Ukraine, in response to which NATO will demonstrate its potential.

[▪]  Strengthening NATO is in Ukraine's national interests and increases the Alliance's ability to support its member states in repelling Russian aggression.

HUNGARIAN ISSUE IN THE EU

On January 18, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Council and EU member states to verify Hungary's possible violation of the Union's values.

[▪]  The European Parliament condemned the Hungarian government's deliberate, continuous, and systematic efforts to undermine the EU's fundamental values.

[▪]  In the approved document, MEPs express serious concerns about the further erosion of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights in Hungary.

[▪]  The Hungarian authorities systematically destroy European unity, in particular, on the issue of supporting Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression. Hungary unreasonably blocked the possibility of allocating EUR 50 bln to Ukraine last December. MEPs called on the European Council to temporarily restrict Hungary's powers in the EU, in particular, the right to vote in the EU Council, the possibility of Hungary's presidency in the EU Council, and the opportunity for Viktor Orbán to chair the European Council.

[▪]  The decision of the European Parliament is advisory in nature, but it is a serious warning to Budapest on the eve of the EU Special Summit, which will be held on February 1, to reconsider the issue of allocating EUR 50 bln to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security for Ukrinform English