NATO’s supply of tanks to Ukraine was sparked by Russian attacks on civilians, an EU chief claimed last night.
Stefano Sannino said Vladimir Putin had pushed the West into action with his barbaric strategy.
The Secretary General of the EU’s European External Action Service defended NATO countries in sending the tanks, claiming Moscow has taken its Ukraine war “to a different stage” with civilian attacks.
It has led to NATO’s first supplying of offensive weapons to Ukraine, whereas previously the weaponry donated was for defending against Moscow’s attack.
Sannino warned Russia had “moved from a concept of special operation to a concept of a war against NATO and the West”.
He added: “Russia is making indiscriminate attacks on civilians and not military targets.
“This development in terms of armed supply is just an evolution of the way Russia started moving the war into a different stage.”
Mr Sannino insisted German and US tanks are being sent to Kyiv “to give the possibility of saving lives and allow Ukrainians to defend themselves from these barbaric attacks” by Putin.
On Friday Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said NATO countries supplying weapons and money to Ukraine have already "drifted" into participating in the war.
He argued that rather than arming Ukraine, the West should pursue "a cease-fire and peace talks.”
He added: "It started with the Germans saying they were willing to send helmets, because they wouldn't send lethal tools into the war since that would mean participation in it.
"This is where we started, now, we're at battle tanks, and they're already talking about planes."
He spoke as Ukraine was left reeling after suffering a string of Russian missile attacks throughout the war-torn country, killing at least nine people and injuring many more.
Germany and the U.S. announced Wednesday they will send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine, offering what one expert called an "armored punching force" to help Kyiv break combat stalemates as the Russian invasion enters its 12th month.
U.S. President Joe Biden agreed his country will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops.
The U.S. decision followed Germany's agreement to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks.
