AMIDST earlier fears that European and wider Western unity toward Ukraine could break down this winter, there are new signs of resolve within the alliance as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion fast approaches.

Exhibit A is that European officials are, in advance of the EU-Ukraine Summit in Kyiv this coming Friday (Feb 3), seeking to prepare a 10th round of sanctions against Russia. This potentially includes capping the sales prices of exports of refined petroleum products, building from the recent oil and gas price caps.

Exhibit B is the recent US-German deal that will see deliveries of dozens of US-made M1 Abrams tanks and German-made Leopards tanks. This decision has been greeted with some jubilation in Kyiv which now wants the heavy armour to be delivered speedily so it can be used on the battlefield.