Zelenskyy Meets German Military Leaders as US Announces More Aid for Ukraine

During a significant meeting on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged for increased weaponry support from the United States and its allies. The meeting, held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, brought together American military leaders and representatives from over 50 partner nations. Concurrently, the U.S. announced a new $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin characterized the meeting as occurring during a pivotal phase in Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression, marking the nation’s first offensive operations amidst a considerable threat from Russian forces, particularly near the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donbas region.

This was Zelenskyy’s inaugural visit to Ramstein, and he seized the opportunity to communicate his pressing need for support. He emphasized that he seeks authorization to use Western-supplied weapons to target deeper inside Russia, a request that has met hesitation from U.S. officials who fear it may exacerbate the conflict.

“We need to have this long-range capability, not only on the divided territory of Ukraine, but also on Russian territory, to pressure Russia into pursuing peace,” Zelenskyy conveyed to the assembled leaders. He stressed the importance of making Russian cities and troops reconsider their motivations: “peace or Putin.”

Despite recent military actions gaining traction in Russian territory, with Ukraine claiming the capture of about 1,300 kilometers (approximately 800 miles) and inflicting considerable casualties on Russian troops, the focus on Pokrovsk remains critical. Austin noted that while Ukraine is gaining ground, President Vladimir Putin is not lessening his efforts to secure vital locations within Ukraine.

“We know Putin’s malice runs deep,” Austin warned in his statements prior to the meeting. He mentioned that Moscow is particularly aggressive in the push against Pokrovsk, underscoring its importance to logistical channels for the Ukrainian military.

Recent escalations in Russian airstrikes have intensified Zelenskyy’s demands for the U.S. to ease restrictions on military capabilities, aiming for faster delivery of promised systems. “The number of air defense systems that have not yet been delivered is significant,” he remarked.

The agenda for the meeting centered on strengthening air defenses and artillery supplies while also expanding Ukraine’s domestic defense production capabilities. This focus comes at a time when the Biden administration is on the verge of significant transition.

During discussions, it was revealed that Western nations are collaborating to find substitute missile options for Ukraine’s outdated Soviet-era S-300 air defense systems. Additionally, the U.S. is working on supplying new air-to-ground missiles compatible with the recently delivered F-16 fighter jets. These missiles, such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, would provide Ukraine with enhanced long-range strike options, according to Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon’s chief weapons buyer.

LaPlante mentioned that while options like the JASSM are under consideration, no decisions have yet been made regarding these advanced capabilities. “Any air-to-ground weapon is always under evaluation,” he noted.

For the past two years, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has convened to fulfill the extensive artillery and air defense requirements of Ukraine, totaling approximately $106 billion in collective security assistance since 2022. The U.S. has contributed more than $56 billion of this amount.

The German government indicated that Chancellor Olaf Scholz planned to meet with Zelenskyy later in Frankfurt, further emphasizing ongoing diplomatic support as the conflict evolves.