President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine emphasized the urgent need for the country to have the capability to strike deep into Russia during a meeting with top U.S. and allied military leaders at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of long-range strikes and enhanced air defenses for Ukraine to have a fighting chance in the ongoing conflict and to bring Russia to the negotiating table for peace talks.
The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group comes at a critical juncture in the conflict, with Ukraine conducting its first offensive operations against Russian forces while facing serious threats near the Donbas region. Recent deadly attacks, including a Russian airstrike on a Ukrainian military training center and ballistic missile strikes on the city of Pavlohrad, have escalated tensions and resulted in civilian casualties.
President Zelenskyy urged Western allies to support Ukraine’s request for long-range strike capabilities, emphasizing the need to deter Russian aggression and protect Ukrainian cities. While the U.S. has been cautious about providing such capabilities to avoid escalating the conflict, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair expressed support for Ukraine’s request, citing the significant attacks Ukraine is facing from Russian military installations.
Despite recent gains in Russian territory by Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin remains focused on capturing strategic Ukrainian cities like Pokrovsk. Zelenskyy renewed calls for Western support, criticizing the slow delivery of promised military systems and highlighting the importance of defending critical infrastructure, especially during winter fighting.
During the meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced an additional $250 million in weapons assistance to Ukraine, including air defense munitions and artillery. The discussions also focused on strengthening Ukraine’s defense industrial base and sourcing advanced weaponry to bolster its capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.
The meeting underscored the ongoing support of Western nations for Ukraine’s defense needs, with a particular emphasis on providing necessary resources and technologies to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities. The commitment to aiding Ukraine in its struggle against Russian forces was evident as Zelenskyy and other officials underscored the importance of solidarity and assistance from allied countries to ensure Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity.
