Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at NATO headquarters on Wednesday to rally support from alliance defense ministers for Ukraine’s ongoing battle against Russian forces.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Zelenskyy stressed the critical need for air defense systems, long-range missiles, and additional ammunition to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Zelenskyy’s Appeal to NATO
The United States is set to host a meeting of the Ukraine contact group aimed at securing more weapons and ammunition for the war-torn nation. During this gathering, NATO allies and partner countries will await detailed information on the specific military equipment required by Kyiv to confront the escalating conflict.
Following this meeting, Ukraine, along with the 31 NATO allies, will participate in the inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. This forum, established in July, aims to strengthen ties between Kyiv and the alliance, providing a platform to discuss mutual concerns and interests.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured the allies of the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. He indicated that several allies would announce the provision of additional weapons and vital support, responding to Ukraine’s key demands, including air defense systems and munitions.
Read more: Biden’s Pursuit Of Israel-Saudi Relations Faces Setback Amid Escalating Middle East Crisis
Balancing US Weapons Aid to Ukraine and Israel
Ukraine is pressing for more weaponry to aid its troops in regaining ground from Russian forces before unfavorable weather conditions set in.
However, challenges such as political turbulence in Congress, divisions over continued Ukraine funding, and the increasing pressure to provide U.S. weapons to Israel are expected to dominate discussions.
The new U.S. aid package includes AIM-9M missiles for air defense, counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems, and over 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
Provided under presidential drawdown authority, these weapons will be quickly dispatched to the battlefield from Pentagon stocks.
Read more: Pentagon Pushes US Defense Sector To Reinforce Israel’s Defense Efforts Against Hamas
