According to the assessment of German Inspector General Carsten Breuer, Ukraine is making progress with preparations for a counteroffensive. "It was explained to me how the fight is fought on the front line. The soil is still boggy and damp. In some cases, there are still large lakes in the fields. The conditions for a comprehensive offensive have not yet been in place in recent weeks," Breuer told the German Press Agency. "In all the conversations, however, it has become clear to me that planning for the Ukrainian offensive is underway."

The highest-ranking Bundeswehr soldier was in Ukraine last week, where he met army chief Valeriy Zaluzhny and Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov. Breuer went on to say that he prioritizes continued military support for Ukraine in defending itself against the Russian aggressors. "The fight to the death justifies restrictions on training and material availability in our country. Supporting the brave Ukrainian armed forces in the fight against the Russian aggressor is our top priority."

The general reiterated: "Ukraine is fighting for all of us." Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov expressed gratitude for the weapons received from Germany so far, including modern anti-aircraft systems, self-propelled howitzers and also the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Reznikov called on Berlin to supply Ukraine with warships. "Our common task is to build a strong system of international security architecture, and the safety of navigation in the Black and Azov Seas is an important element in this system," the Ukrainian stressed. Kiev had already requested ships from Germany several times in the past.

According to the U.S. government, Ukraine currently has all the necessary means to recapture territories occupied in a counteroffensive. "They have everything they need to succeed in recapturing territories that Russia has seized by force over the past 14 months," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press conference with his British counterpart James Cleverly in Washington on Tuesday.

Earlier, the US government announced further military support for Ukraine worth 1.2 billion US dollars (about 1.1 billion euros). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressly welcomed the new aid package.

"I thank President Biden, Congress – both parties – and every American family for their continued support and for the American strength that makes us stronger," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Tuesday. In particular, the new US aid is intended to strengthen Ukrainian air defense and saturate the need for ammunition, according to the State Department in Washington. The U.S. is also sending additional artillery shells and support for the maintenance of existing weapons systems.

The United States is considered Ukraine's most important ally in the defensive fight against the Russian invasion. According to the Ministry of Defense, they have contributed more than $36.9 billion worth of military aid since the beginning of the war.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister dampens expectations

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warns against too high expectations of the expected spring offensive. "Don't consider this counteroffensive as the last, because we don't know what will come out of it," he told the Bild newspaper. Only if this offensive succeeds in liberating the Russian-occupied territories will it be the last. "But if not, then it means that we need to prepare for the next counteroffensive."