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 the counteroffensive, as winter closes in.
For the first time, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined a meeting of more than 50 defence leaders from arou🐟nd the world Wednesday to mak൩e a personal pitch for military aid, in the face of lagging political support in the US 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 the counteroffensive, as winter closes in.
“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,” Zelenskyy tol♏d the gathering as they opened the meeting. “But we can already say several things which I think are important. First, Putin will not achieve Ukraine. Second, R🃏ussia cannot afford a new arms race. And third, democracy can win this battle.”
The meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, hosted by the US, comes as Ukraine is desperately seeking more weapons to help its troops rega🌃in ground fr♓om Russian forces before the muddy weather sets in. But political chaos in Congress stalled approval of new Ukraine funding, and there has been growing opposition among some lawmakers to any increase in spending.
Speaking 🍬as he entered NATO headquarters, Zelenskyy noted the Israel war, and said Ukrainians understand such tragedy. But he was also quick to detail Ukraine's ongoing need for air defence s♉ystems and long-range missiles “to push Russia out of our land.”
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters travelling with him to Brussels that support for Ukraine continues unabated. He said a number of allies will announce they are sending additional weapons and other support to Kyiv. A 🗹key demand has been more air defence systems and munitions.
“The 🎐energy, in my view, is still there,” said Austin. “And I will reassure them t♈hat we remain committed to this.”
He echoed those thoughts as he opened the meeting, asserting that Ukraine is making steady progress in the war. And he said allies during this meeting will focus not only on meeting Kyiv's immediate needsꦿ but also on setting up plans to coordinate investments in Ukraine's future force
The contact group is the main fo🎉rum for raising contributions of weapons, equipment and training for Kyiv's war ef🔯fort. It meets about once a month, in person and virtually, and this is the 16th gathering.
Zelenskyy, who was greeted with applause as he entered the building, went immedi♑ately into a private session with Austin and US Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Speaking to reporters as he came in, Ze💟lenskyy reiterated his country's need for long-range missiles and ammunition.
“It's very im꧟portant that there are priorities. There are air defence systems. These are not just basic words. These are very concrete things and we need them,” Zelenskyy said.
Following that meeting, the 31 allies and Ukraine will take part in the first NAꦫTO-Ukra𝐆ine 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 US aid includes AIM-9M missiles for air defence, counter-drone systems, munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), artillery, electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions, anti-armꩵour systems and more than 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
The weapons are provided under presidential drawdown authority, so will be taken from P🔜e♔ntagon stocks and delivered quickly to the battlefield.