Creation of various PMCs by Russian command leads to supply of tanks to Ukraine by West - political expert Klochok

He expressed his opinion on Espreso TV. 

“Macron's statement on the transfer of light tanks was made only after a discussion on the possibility of the Leopard transfer. And Germany and France determine EU policy in general. The New Year was decisive in many ways in the West, namely the events in Donbas. The Russian command recently managed to create private military companies (PMC - ed.). It is known that in the east of Ukraine, Prigozhin's Wagner PMC is fighting, Shoigu's PMC also appeared there and, according to Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Maliar, there is also a third PMC. That is, Russia resorted to the tactic of creating private military companies, where the security is better,” the head of the Vezha Public Analytics Center noted. 

Valerii Klochok added that Prigozhin and his PMC failed at Bakhmut, which he admitted on the eve of the New Year, and this is a serious reputational blow to both Prigozhin and the PMC scheme in Russia itself.

“In my opinion, this became the reason for the transfer of light tanks by the West, that is, it is a collective decision of NATO members amid discussions about the supply of Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks. And just today, January 5, a comment appeared from the United States that Abrams can not be delivered because they are very heavy, 55 tons of weight and there is a turbine that is difficult to maintain, but it is delusional. I think this is a political moment, but it indicates that France and Germany will supply tanks to Ukraine, and it's only a matter of time. Macron's statement shows that the first step has been taken, and then Scholz,” Klochko noted.