President Zelenskiy Anticipates New Western Defense Packages for Ukraine
In a Saturday night video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed his expectation that a series of new Western defense packages for Ukraine would be signed in the coming months. President Zelenskiy stated, "We are preparing new agreements with partners - strong bilateral agreements. January and February should bring corresponding results. There are already specific dates when new and strong documents can be expected."
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv's Western allies have stood united in providing unprecedented military and other aid to assist President Zelenskiy in defending his country. However, as the conflict enters its third year and with minimal change along the front line over the past 12 months, there has been a growing opposition to further aid in the United States, leading to a slowdown in the delivery of funds and equipment.
President Zelenskiy did not specify the countries with which he hopes to finalize agreements. Over the past weeks, he has engaged in an international diplomatic effort to secure more political and military support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian president emphasized that Russia's increased winter air strikes and the slow but persistent offensive in Ukraine's east underscore the urgent need for additional reinforcement of Kyiv's air and ground defenses.
In a significant move earlier this month, Britain, one of Kyiv's staunchest supporters, announced an increase in support for Ukraine in the next financial year, allocating 2.5 billion pounds ($3.19 billion). Furthermore, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to visit Ukraine in February to finalize a bilateral security guarantee deal. This deal includes the delivery of more sophisticated weaponry, including long-range cruise missiles, demonstrating France's commitment to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. The international community's ongoing support remains crucial as Ukraine navigates the challenges posed by the prolonged conflict.
