Welcome to Foreign Policy’s SitRep! This will be our last special edition from the Munich Security Conference (MSC). Thanks for joining us. We will return to our regular program on Thursday. Here’s what’s coming up: Europe preps for a wider conflict with Russia, U.S. Senate feels optimistic about freeing stalled military aid to Ukraine, and another NATO ally hits the 2 percent defense spending mark. Ready to Fight Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas at the 2023 MSC called on the EU to jointly purchase artillery ammunition for Ukraine. The EE would make it happen, as announced by Josep Borrell. But it’s Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen who stole the show on Sunday, announcing Denmark’s donation of its artillery to Ukraine. Her declaration sparked discussions about defending Europe from a potential Russian attack. Readying for War Europe is preparing for talk of a potential conflict with Russia. Some officials suggest Russia could be ready to attack NATO soil within 3-5 years. Sweden’s Gen. Micael Byden warned in January to prepare for war, and British Gen. Patrick Sanders called for Britons to prepare for a level of mobilization unseen since World War II. NATO allies are bracing for a Russian challenge in any respect, be it on the ground or in a cyberattack. Europe Needs to Do More Denmark said that it would give 19 artillery pieces to Ukraine in April 2023, although its recent announcement stole the show at the conference. NATO is looking to harden data cables and oil pipelines to prepare for possible Russian challenges. There are discussions of needing sturdier roads to handle more tanks. Democracies vs. Dictatorships Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is frustrated by the slow U.S. House progress on military aid for Ukraine, and Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya believes dictators don’t respect democracies. Red Line Concerns Europe is anxiously awaiting the passage of a U.S. national security funding bill, which is critical to Ukraine’s fight against Russia. And there are growing worries about the possibility of China backing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, keeping Western defense planners up at night.
