Russian war of aggression: Zelensky asks for more help during NATO visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj asked for further arms supplies for the defensive war against Russia during a previously unannounced visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels. The biggest challenge for his country is to survive the winter, said the head of state on the sidelines of a meeting with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and defense ministers from Western partners on Wednesday. Ukraine is preparing for the coming months, but needs further support.

Zelensky’s visit to NATO headquarters was his first since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began almost 600 days ago. When he traveled to the Belgian capital in February, he only met EU representatives.

Zelensky appeals to partners

Zelensky cited additional air defense systems, long-range missiles and artillery as the most urgently needed weapons. According to the head of state, this could prevent Russia from destroying Ukrainian power plants and supply networks like it did last winter. With the protection of the sky, normal life can be guaranteed in the cities, he said. Long-range missiles could also be used to secure supply routes across the Black Sea and the Danube region. It also exports Ukrainian grain, which is needed to supply poor countries through the United Nations World Food Program.

As a gift, Zelensky received on Wednesday, among other things, new promises of aid from the USA, Belgium and Great Britain. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new weapons and ammunition package worth $200 million (189 million euros). It includes, among other things, AIM-9 missiles for a new air defense system as well as artillery shells, anti-tank weapons and precision-guided ammunition for air strikes.

Denmark raises hopes for quick F-16 delivery

Belgium, meanwhile, promised to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, like the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway – from 2025. The first aircraft from Denmark, on the other hand, could be made available in a few months. The aim is to be able to hand over the first aircraft in March or April, said Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

The German government had already promised Ukraine a comprehensive package of air defense systems, tanks and ammunition before the meeting. Britain also announced that it would work with partners to provide additional equipment to clear minefields and strengthen defenses. US Defense Secretary Austin estimated the aid commitments made through the contact group at more than 33 billion dollars (31.2 billion euros).

Middle East conflict and US policy as a factor of uncertainty

However, the meeting was overshadowed by the ongoing uncertainty about what would happen next with American support for Ukraine. In an interim budget passed by the US Congress at the end of September, no further aid is planned for the country due to an unresolved budget dispute. The funds approved so far, which are also used to finance the aid package announced on Wednesday, are slowly running out. New ones would require congressional approval.

Since the weekend there has been another factor of uncertainty with the major attack on Israel by the Islamist Hamas. Nobody can currently estimate exactly how the situation in the Middle East will develop and whether Israel may have to ask partners such as the USA for support, which could lead to further resource conflict. “We will remain in close contact with our Israeli partners and ensure they have everything they need to protect their country,” Austin said on the issue on Wednesday. Zelensky warned that international support for Kiev could weaken because of the conflict in the Middle East. “This is a risk not only for Ukraine,” he said at a press conference with Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was convinced that Ukraine had nothing to worry about. “Your fight is our fight,” he told Zelensky. “We will stand by Ukraine for as long as it is necessary.”