During a whirlwind tour of European allies, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was promised billions of dollars in new military aid, reflecting a dramatic shift in the political landscape as Europe assumes a more central role in arming Ukraine for its anticipated counteroffensive against Russia.
Zelensky's four-nation excursion began on Saturday in Italy. It concluded on Monday in the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to provide a substantial package of air-defense missiles and attack drones.
European Leaders Vow to Provide More Aids to Ukraine
This was in addition to the recent delivery of long-range cruise missiles by the United Kingdom. And it followed Germany's vow to provide Ukraine with nearly $3 billion worth of arms and less concrete promises of additional arms from France and Italy.
According to experts, Europe's support for Ukraine demonstrates that the war has entered a crucial phase, with Ukrainian forces massing for a counteroffensive that could determine the terms of future negotiations with Russia. Per NY Times, it also acknowledges that support for Ukraine in the United States, which remains by far the largest supplier of munitions, is likely to face pressure.
German and Ukrainian officials reported that Zelensky is concerned that President Joe Biden will be less able to lead diplomatic efforts as the American presidential campaign ramps up. Zelensky, who embraced Rishi Sunak after descending from a helicopter, characterized the meetings as "substantive negotiations" and referred to Sunak as "my friend Rishi" on Twitter.
In the coming weeks, France will train and furnish multiple battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including the AMX-10RC, according to the statement.
Paris would also concentrate on bolstering Ukraine's air defense capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Zelensky to the Elysee Palace for the second time since the February 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine, as per SCMP.
During a dinner at the presidential palace, the leaders will reportedly discuss France's "support" in responding to "Ukraine's imperative military and humanitarian requirements."
Macron would "reaffirm France and Europe's unwavering support for restoring Ukraine's legitimate rights and defending its fundamental interests," according to the statement.
In an interview published on Sunday in the newspaper Opinion, Macron stated that Russia has "already lost geopolitically" the Ukraine conflict and is becoming a vassal state of China. France has provided Ukraine with various munitions and fuel, including air-defense systems, light tanks, howitzers, and other weapons.
Zelensky Calls Putin 'Insane'
Before flying to Paris, Zelensky met with Scholz in Berlin to discuss his country's planned counteroffensive. Zelensky stated that the objective would be to liberate Russian-occupied territory within internationally recognized Ukrainian borders and not to attack Russian territory.
The Ukrainian president is visiting allies in search of additional armaments to help his country repel the Russian invasion and funds to reconstruct what has been demolished by more than a year of destructive conflict. A Luftwaffe aircraft transported Zelensky to Berlin from Rome, where he met with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday.
It was his first visit to Berlin since the start of the conflict, and it occurred a day after the German government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth more than $3 billion, including tanks, anti-aircraft systems, and ammunition.
Zelensky thanked Scholz for Germany's political, financial, and military support, noting that the country is now only second to the United States in assisting Ukraine and joking that he is working to make Germany the largest donor. Meanwhile, Zelensky has described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "insane" as he travels across Europe to bolster up support for Kyiv ahead of the country's long-promised counteroffensive.
During a Saturday visit to Rome, Zelensky conferred with Italian political leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the chief of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. Before a concerted pushback against Russian forces, Kyiv's European allies pledged additional aid.
According to Newsweek, the Ukrainian leader traveled to Berlin on Saturday as Germany unveiled a new military aid package for Kyiv. Zelensky wrote on Twitter, "I applaud Germany for the largest military aid shipment since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion."
The government has increased military equipment shipments as it prepares for a spring counteroffensive. However, Kyiv officials have yet to elaborate on the nature of these operations.
Related Article : French Journalist Dies During Rocket Attack in Ukraine
