Europe is shifting up a gear when it comes to arms deliveries

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Four days, three countries, billions in military aid: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (45) was on a tour of European allies from Saturday to Monday and returned to Ukraine with a full arsenal of weapons.

Anti-aircraft missiles, drones and long-range Storm Shadow missiles from the UK. France on Tuesday pledged additional military aid, including light tanks, armored vehicles and long-range Scalp-type missiles. Otherwise, reluctant Germany will double its military aid and send $2.7 billion worth of equipment to Ukraine. In Italy, at least, Zelensky received “full support” in his efforts to repel Russia’s “brutal and unjust aggression”.

Every help counts

They have long doubted, now the European powers are moving again. The reason? Ukraine is in a crucial phase of the war. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 43, said on Monday: “This is a crucial moment in Ukraine’s resistance to a terrible war of aggression.” Now every help, material and moral, counts.

Just last week, Selenski warned that a counter-offensive would be impossible without further arms shipments. Well, with the new commitments from Europe, the counterattack could be imminent.

According to analysts from the US newspaper New York Times, Europe’s increased commitments also reflect growing confidence that Ukrainian troops can make decisive breakthroughs in their counter-offensive.

Jacob Funk Kirkegaard is a former Danish Army intelligence officer and Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund in Brussels. “We wouldn’t be giving Ukraine so many weapons at this point if we thought they were unlikely to succeed,” Kirkegaard told the US newspaper. “Nothing is certain, but we in the West seem increasingly optimistic about Ukraine.”

Will the US take a step back?

However, Selenski’s journey is not only related to the emerging counter-offensive. Also behind his blitz trip to Europe is the fear that the unprecedented American support is coming to an end. That is why a renewed charm offensive in Europe is badly needed for him.

US President Joe Biden (80) may be less able to lead diplomatic efforts as the US presidential campaign heats up. This worries Zelensky, according to German and Ukrainian officials in the New York Times.

A majority of Americans still support US aid to Ukraine. But according to the American Pew Research Center, mainly conservative voters and politicians are calling for an end to the large aid packages. 55 percent of those polled also think the US should worry less about problems abroad and focus on problems at home. Biden will also have to respond to this.

Britain moves forward

If the US resigns, Britain can take its place. Britain’s aggressive stance has often served as a precursor to more reluctant Western countries to supply Ukraine with heavier weapons.

For example, the British decision in January to send 14 Challenger 2 main battle tanks heralded the decision by Germany and the US to supply more modern tanks. Now Britain has also taken the first step in long-range missiles and has sent “Storm Shadow” missiles to Ukraine. France did the same for the country on Tuesday.

Source: Blick