Almost 15 months into the war in Ukraine, the United States and NATO continue to support Kyiv’s fight for freedom.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just finished a European tour that reaped considerable military aid. The Ukrainian leader visited Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, the four major European countries supporting the defense of Ukraine.
Air Defense Missiles, Suicide Drones, and Tanks
The U.K. announced a package of air defense missiles and long-range attack unmanned aerial systems to Ukraine. The air defense munitions are designed to deal with the Russian cruise missile and suicide drone volleys. And with a range of over 120 miles, the long-range attack drones will give the Ukrainian military the capability to identify and attack targets of military value deep behind the frontlines.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, this package of military aid will be delivered to Ukraine over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Germany announced a package of military aid worth $3.2 billion. The package includes 30 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 20 Marder armored personnel carriers, 18 self-propelled howitzers, 200 reconnaissance drones, and four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems.
“I am extremely pleased with our achievements and agreements. And I am very grateful to [British Prime Minister] Rishi [Sunak]. It was a good meeting with [Italian Prime Minister] Giorgia [Meloni], with [German Chancellor] Olaf [Scholtz], [French President] Emmanuel [Macron] and today in the UK. Really important, powerful defense packages. These are the agreements,” Zelensky said in a press release.
Ukraine depends on Western support for its defense against Russian aggression.
On its part, France committed light tanks, armored vehicles, and training to Ukrainian forces.
“The position of each of these countries is very important here. And it is important that this position is united,” the Ukrainian leader added.
But the United States remains by far the most important supporter of Ukraine.
U.S. Military Assistance
Days before Zelensky started his Europe, the U.S. Department of Defense announced another package of military aid to Ukraine. Worth $1.2 billion, the latest package of security aid to Ukraine comprised of artillery shells, air defense systems and munitions, anti-drone ammunition, and equipment to integrate Western anti-aircraft systems, such as the MIM-104 Patriot, in the Ukrainian air defense umbrella.
Funding for the package is coming from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which means that it will be brand new.
The Ukrainian military is gearing up for a large-scale counteroffensive. For months Kyiv was indicating that the assault would take place sometime in May or June. But over the last few days, Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian military will delay its large-scale offensive operation because it is still incorporating key Western weapon systems in its forces.
“This USAI package underscores the continued U.S. commitment to meeting Ukraine’s most urgent requirements by committing critical near-term capabilities,” the Pentagon stated in a press release.
Through military aid, the U.S. and NATO have been trying to ensure that the Ukrainian military can push back the Russian forces in the short term but also have the capabilities to deter the Kremlin over the long term. It is a tricky proposition, but the West has been finding the correct balance.
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A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
