As $137bn in military and financial aid to Ukraine remains stalled in Washington and Brussels, European allies have stepped in with their own commitments to ensure Ukraine’s resistance against Russia continues.
In the past week, Ukrainian forces held a 1,000km line against Russian assaults in an “active defense” strategy. Ukrainian air forces also managed to destroy a rare Russian reconnaissance plane, the Beriev A-50, over the Sea of Azov. Despite this success, Russia retaliated by launching missile attacks, wounding 17 in Kharkiv.
Russia continues to push for control in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces focus on holding their positions and inflicting losses on the enemy. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasized that Russian President Putin will not abandon his goals in Ukraine, calling for continued international support to end the war.
While Western aid packages remain stuck in political deliberations, NATO and the European Commission are stepping up their defense efforts. NATO chief Admiral Rob Bauer called for a “warfighting transformation” and a focus on military effectiveness, while the EU is planning a $109bn European Defence Investment Programme to boost defense industries. The EU also aims to produce one million artillery shells annually, fulfilling its earlier commitment to Ukraine.
As Congress debates $61bn in US aid for 2024, and EU packages totaling $74bn face opposition from Hungary, individual European nations are bypassing the gridlock. Estonia has committed $1.3bn over four years, Latvia has pledged significant military supplies, and the UK signed a $3.2bn agreement to boost Ukraine’s drone production. France and Germany are also contributing to Ukraine’s defense, with Germany doubling its military aid in 2024.
Despite its strong military resources, Russia faces its own challenges, including sanctions-related production issues and internal unrest that may be linked to covert enlistment efforts.
