BERLIN: As Ukraine undertakes its first offensive operations of the war and faces a serious danger from Russian forces at a strategic hub in the Donbas region, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the leaders’ meeting was taking place during a dynamic juncture in the country’s conflict with Russia.
This was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s first visit to Ramstein to address the group. In his speech, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Western allies, particularly the US, to provide long-range weaponry that would enable Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory. The US has been hesitant to support this approach, fearing it could escalate the conflict further.
Zelenskyy argued that such capabilities are crucial for pressuring Russia to seek peace. “We need to have this long-range capability not only within Ukraine but also on Russian territory to motivate Russia to pursue peace,” he told the attendees.
He added that Ukrainian forces had made significant gains, capturing approximately 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of Russian territory and inflicting heavy casualties, but noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains focused on capturing the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which is vital for Ukraine’s supply lines.
Despite the pressure on Russia from the recent offensive in Kursk, Austin warned that Putin’s resolve remains strong, particularly around Pokrovsk. Recent Russian airstrikes have intensified Zelenskyy’s calls for the US to relax restrictions on weaponry and expedite the delivery of promised systems.
The Friday meeting was expected to focus on bolstering Ukraine’s air defense and artillery supplies and strengthening its defense industrial base as the Biden administration approaches its final days. Western allies are working to provide Ukraine with a replacement missile for its aging Soviet-era S-300 air defense systems, Austin said.
The US is also considering equipping Ukraine’s newly delivered F-16 fighter jets with various air-to-ground missiles, including the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, which could offer a longer-range strike option. However, no final decisions on these munitions have been made, and policymakers will need to determine whether to provide Ukraine with these advanced capabilities, according to Bill LaPlante, the Pentagon’s top weapons buyer.
For the past two years, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group has been meeting to address Ukraine’s extensive artillery and air defense needs, supplying hundreds of millions of rounds of small arms ammunition.
