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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaged with senior U.S. military officials and representatives from over 50 countries in Germany on Friday. His primary aim was to advocate for enhanced military support as the United States announced an additional $250 million in security aid for Ukraine.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described the gathering as occurring at a pivotal time in Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. He highlighted that Ukraine is initiating its first offensive operations of the conflict, while also confronting substantial threats from Russian forces close to a critical area in the Donbas region.

In a surprising turn of events, Ukraine has launched an assault into Russia’s Kursk territory, yet this has not distracted President Vladimir Putin from his objective to seize the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Control of Pokrovsk is essential due to its vital rail and supply links that support the Ukrainian military. The loss of this city could heighten risks for additional Ukrainian locations.

Despite the pressures from the offensive in Kursk, Austin warned that “we know Putin’s malice runs deep.” He emphasized that Moscow continues to have a strategic focus on Pokrovsk, which remains a critical battleground.

Zelenskyy’s call for increased support has been amplified by recent lethal airstrikes from Russian forces, prompting him to request the United States to ease restrictions further and to acquire more advanced Western capabilities for deeper strikes within Russia. However, the focus of Friday’s meeting was primarily on bolstering air defense systems and artillery supplies while enhancing Ukraine’s defense manufacturing base to ensure its resilience as the Biden administration nears its conclusion.

On Telegram, Zelenskyy reiterated his demand for long-range strike capabilities, asserting that “Strong long-range decisions by partners are needed to bring the just peace we seek closer.”

Austin noted that Western allies are working collaboratively with Ukraine to secure a replacement missile for its aging Soviet-era S-300 air defense systems.

In addition, the U.S. is prioritizing the provision of various air-to-ground missiles compatible with the newly supplied F-16 fighter jets. Among these is the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), which could potentially offer Ukraine a long-range cruise missile option, shared Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon’s leading weapons buyer, during a press briefing.

LaPlante indicated that no determinations have been finalized about the munitions, stressing that decisions regarding the delivery of longer-range capabilities will require careful consideration by policymakers.

“I would just put JASSM in that category; it’s something that is always being looked at,” LaPlante stated. “Anything that’s an air-to-ground weapon is always being assessed.”

For two years, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has convened to address Ukraine’s enormous artillery and air defense needs, which have included supplies of millions of small arms ammunition and cutting-edge air defense systems, alongside fighter jets. The current request reiterates a familiar theme, but stands out due to its in-person nature, following a similar visit to Kyiv by Biden’s deputy national security advisor, Jon Finer, just a day before, as Zelenskyy seeks to solidify U.S. support amidst an impending administration shift.

Since 2022, member nations of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have aggregated approximately $106 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, with the U.S. accounting for more than $56 billion of that total.

The German government has also indicated that Chancellor Olaf Scholz intends to meet with Zelenskyy in Frankfurt later on Friday, highlighting continued international engagement on the issue.