odanny
Diamond Member
This is great that Europe is finally stepping up and doing their fair share. Of course, the world knows the U.S., under Trump or Desantis, will be friendly to dictators like Putin and abdicate whatever leadership we have in the world.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has been promised billions of dollars in new military aid during a whirlwind tour of European allies that reflects a striking shift in the political landscape, as Europe takes a more central role in arming Ukraine for its anticipated counteroffensive to drive Russia from its territory.
Mr. Zelensky’s four-country tour began in Italy on Saturday and ended in Britain on Monday, when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to provide a major package of air-defense missiles and attack drones. That was in addition to Britain’s recent delivery of long-range cruise missiles. And it followed Germany’s pledge to give Ukraine a nearly $3 billion package of weapons, as well as less concrete promises of additional weapons from France and Italy.
Europe’s show of support for Ukraine, analysts said, underscores that the war is in a pivotal phase, with Ukrainian forces massing for a counteroffensive that could set the terms for any future negotiation with Russia. It also reflects a recognition that support for Ukraine in the United States, still by far the largest supplier of weapons, is likely to come under pressure.
Mr. Zelensky is concerned that as the American presidential race heats up, President Biden will be less able to lead diplomatic efforts, German and Ukrainian officials said. Should a Republican win the White House, officials worry there will be a collapse in leadership among Western allies.
“This is a crucial moment in Ukraine’s resistance to a terrible war of aggression they did not choose or provoke,” Mr. Sunak said in a statement, as he welcomed Mr. Zelensky at Chequers, the British leader’s country residence outside London.
Mr. Zelensky, who hugged Mr. Sunak after climbing out of a helicopter, described the meetings as “substantive negotiations” and referred to Mr. Sunak in a post on Twitter as “my friend Rishi.” The two met in a room used by Winston Churchill to write his rally-the-nation radio broadcasts during World War II.
Mr. Zelensky held similarly warm meetings with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in Berlin and President Emmanuel Macron of France in Paris, both on Sunday; and with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy in Rome, where he also met Pope Francis, on Saturday. From his visits, Mr. Zelensky emerged with at least the promise of more weapons.
The new long-range missiles, attack drones and tanks and other armored vehicles secured from allies in recent days will fulfill many, but not all, of the demands for weapons that Ukraine has said it needs for a counteroffensive.
www.nytimes.com
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has been promised billions of dollars in new military aid during a whirlwind tour of European allies that reflects a striking shift in the political landscape, as Europe takes a more central role in arming Ukraine for its anticipated counteroffensive to drive Russia from its territory.
Mr. Zelensky’s four-country tour began in Italy on Saturday and ended in Britain on Monday, when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to provide a major package of air-defense missiles and attack drones. That was in addition to Britain’s recent delivery of long-range cruise missiles. And it followed Germany’s pledge to give Ukraine a nearly $3 billion package of weapons, as well as less concrete promises of additional weapons from France and Italy.
Europe’s show of support for Ukraine, analysts said, underscores that the war is in a pivotal phase, with Ukrainian forces massing for a counteroffensive that could set the terms for any future negotiation with Russia. It also reflects a recognition that support for Ukraine in the United States, still by far the largest supplier of weapons, is likely to come under pressure.
Mr. Zelensky is concerned that as the American presidential race heats up, President Biden will be less able to lead diplomatic efforts, German and Ukrainian officials said. Should a Republican win the White House, officials worry there will be a collapse in leadership among Western allies.
“This is a crucial moment in Ukraine’s resistance to a terrible war of aggression they did not choose or provoke,” Mr. Sunak said in a statement, as he welcomed Mr. Zelensky at Chequers, the British leader’s country residence outside London.
Mr. Zelensky, who hugged Mr. Sunak after climbing out of a helicopter, described the meetings as “substantive negotiations” and referred to Mr. Sunak in a post on Twitter as “my friend Rishi.” The two met in a room used by Winston Churchill to write his rally-the-nation radio broadcasts during World War II.
Mr. Zelensky held similarly warm meetings with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany in Berlin and President Emmanuel Macron of France in Paris, both on Sunday; and with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy in Rome, where he also met Pope Francis, on Saturday. From his visits, Mr. Zelensky emerged with at least the promise of more weapons.
The new long-range missiles, attack drones and tanks and other armored vehicles secured from allies in recent days will fulfill many, but not all, of the demands for weapons that Ukraine has said it needs for a counteroffensive.
In European Tour, Zelensky Reaps Billions More in Promised Military Aid
His trips to Britain, Germany, France and Italy demonstrated the shifting political landscape when it comes to supporting Kyiv, as concerns grow about U.S. backing as the presidential election looms.
