Russia New weapons and humanitarian aid for Ukraine
At the meeting of international allies at the US airbase in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Ukraine received pledges of further military support. However, the officially announced pledges fell short of Kiev's expectations, and the hoped-for permission from the allies to use long-range weapons against military targets on Russian territory was not granted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj had traveled to Ramstein for the talks and flew on to Italy in the evening.
During an appearance at the Ambrosetti Forum on Lake Como, the Ukrainian again rejected a freeze of the war along the lines of the Korean War. He also said that negotiations with Russia would only be possible from a position of strength. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, whom Zelenskyi described as having a "sick brain", simply wanted to destroy Ukraine and not negotiate. He must therefore be forced to make peace, Selensky emphasized.
The Ukrainian president reiterated that his country's armed forces only wanted to attack military targets on Russian territory with long-range weapons. "We only want to use these long-range weapons on military targets 100 to 300 kilometers away, that's all," he said. "We never, ever attack their civilian infrastructure."
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had previously expressed restraint with regard to Ukraine's demands to be allowed to use longer-range weapons against targets in Russia. "I don't believe that any particular capability will be decisive," said Austin at the end of the Ukraine Contact Group meeting in Ramstein. The current battlefield shows that Russia has moved certain aircraft that can use glide bombs - so that they are stationed outside the range of US ATACMS missiles.
When asked by a journalist whether Zelenskyi had said that there were strategic targets in Russia that could be hit with longer-range weapons, Austin responded evasively. There are many targets in Russia and Ukraine has numerous ways of attacking them - for example with drones. "I think that in the foreseeable future we will ensure that we continue to focus on helping Ukraine to defend its territory effectively," Austin continued.
New military aid for Ukraine
Around the Ramstein meeting, Ukraine received promises of new military support. According to Austin, the USA wants to provide further military aid of around 250 million US dollars (around 225 million euros) to defend against the Russian war of aggression. In recent months, the USA has already provided several tranches of military aid after the US Congress released new funds of around 61 billion US dollars (56.2 billion euros) for Kiev at the end of April. The USA is Ukraine's most important ally and largest arms supplier in its defensive struggle against Russia.
Germany, the second most important arms supplier, has also pledged new weapons and is supporting Ukraine with twelve additional 2000 self-propelled howitzers worth 150 million euros. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) promised Zelenskyi that the first six modern artillery pieces would be delivered this year and the other six next year.
Great Britain promised Kiev further anti-aircraft weapons, while the Netherlands announced an arms and equipment package for Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets worth 80 million euros. Canada also wanted to provide additional weapons and ammunition. Among other things, rocket engines and associated warheads for air-to-ground missiles used by helicopters will be supplied. In addition, Canada began training Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighter jets this week. The Spanish government announced that it would provide the Ukrainians with a complete battery of Hawk missiles for air defense.
EU increases humanitarian aid
The EU is increasing its humanitarian aid following the recent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. An additional 35 million euros are to be made available before the coming winter, as announced by the European Commission. A further five million euros have been earmarked to support Ukrainian refugees and their reception in neighboring Moldova.
In Ukraine, the EU wants to use the money to help repair damaged buildings and ensure the supply of electricity and heating, among other things. In Moldova, the new funds will be used to improve preparations for additional refugees.
Including the funds announced this Friday, the Commission says it has already provided 966 million euros to support the civilian population affected by the war in Ukraine. According to the Commissioner responsible, Janez Lenarcic, this year's total amount now rises to 110 million euros for Ukraine and 13 million euros for Moldova.
SDA
