Zelensky petitions NATO defense ministers for more support to fight Russia
BRUSSELS — For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined a meeting of more than 50 defense leaders from around the world Wednesday to make a personal pitch for military aid, in the face of flagging political support in the U.S. and new pressure on allies to send weapons to bolster Israel’s war with Hamas.
His presence underscored growing concerns about cracks in what has been staunch international backing for Kyiv in its war against Russia’s invasion, and worries that Ukrainian forces haven’t made measurable progress in their counteroffensive as winter closes in.
Asked about concerns that Ukraine might get less military support because of the war in Israel and Gaza, Zelensky said there was a “very understandable volume†of materiel that the U.S. and Europe could provide. He said he had asked that question himself, but added that nobody really knew and that he was still assuming U.S. and European support.
As for the Israel complication, “of course, everybody’s afraid, and I think also Russia’s counting on it, on dividing support,†Zelensky said at a news conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
“Next Monday, we will mark the 600th day of our resistance to Russia’s full-scale aggression against our people, against Ukraine. And today, no one can say for sure how many more days we will have to defend our independence and to defend our identity,†Zelensky told the gathering as they opened the meeting.
“But we can already say several things which I think are important,†he said. “First, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, Russia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle.â€
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The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by the U.S., comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops regain ground from Russian forces before the rainy weather and mud set in. But political chaos in Washington has stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers in Congress to any increase in spending.
Speaking as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelensky made note of the Israel’s war against the Hamas militant group, saying that Ukrainians understood such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraine’s ongoing need for air-defense systems and long-range missiles “to push Russia out of our land.â€
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies would announce additional weapons and other support for Kyiv. A key demand has been more air-defense systems and munitions.
“The energy, in my view, is still there,†Austin said. “And I will reassure them that we remain committed to this.â€
At least 51 people were killed in a Russian rocket strike on a village cafe and store in eastern Ukraine, one of the deadliest attacks in recent months.
He echoed those remarks as he opened the meeting, asserting that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies during this meeting would focus not only on meeting Kyiv’s immediate needs but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraine’s future armed forces.
The contact group is the main forum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyiv’s war effort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering.
Zelensky, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immediately into a private session with Austin and U.S. Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Speaking to reporters as he came in, Zelensky reiterated his country’s need for long-range missiles and ammunition.
The collapse of an effort to pass Ukraine aid in Congress was months in the making, as a small group of Republicans fought funding for the fight against Russia’s war.
“It’s very important that there are priorities. There are air-defense systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them,†Zelensky said.
Following that meeting, the 31 NATO allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NATO-Ukraine Council at this level. The forum was formally established in July as part of efforts to bring Kyiv closer to the alliance. It allows NATO and Kyiv to discuss issues of common interest and concern.
The new package of U.S. aid includes AIM-9M missiles that Austin said will be used with a new surface-to-air missile defense system that the U.S. will soon deliver to Ukraine. In addition, it will provide counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armor systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, and so will be taken from Pentagon stocks and delivered quickly to the battlefield.
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