"Make no mistake, the United States will be able to deploy its power and resources to face crises in several scenarios at the same time. We stand firmly with Israel as we continue to support Ukraine", assured the head of the Pentagon, Austin Lloyd, on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defense ministers held yesterday in Brussels, in which, surprisingly, President Volodymyr Zelensky participated for the first time. "We can do both things and we will do them", emphasized Lloyd.
The signs of fatigue in support for Kyiv and the arrival of winter, which Vladimir Putin intends to "use again as a weapon of war", according to the allied secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, could have been reason enough for Zelenski stepped foot for the first time in the headquarters of the military organization. But the emergence of a new international crisis in the Middle East and the traditional alliance between the United States and Israel made his intervention even more necessary, in the meeting of the Ramstein group, as the international format is known used to coordinate aid.
Zelenski wanted to personally "thank" the ministers of the allied countries for the support offered to his country and ask for reinforcements to face a "winter of terror", especially more anti-aircraft defenses, combat planes and artillery. "We need the support of the leaders, that's why I'm here", said the Ukrainian leader, who in recent hours has admitted that he was worried about the effect that the open war between Israel and Hamas may have for his country. The United States is responsible for half of the total military aid offered to Ukraine and the European Union has already warned that, alone, it is not capable of replacing the American ally.
"The facts speak for themselves, it's not just words" of solidarity towards Ukraine that the NATO countries have offered to Zelenski, Stoltenberg stressed. During the meeting, several countries announced the delivery of new capabilities, such as Germany's one billion euros for anti-aircraft defenses, a front that will also be strengthened by the 200 million announced by the United States, while Norway, Sweden and Denmark will join forces to make a joint purchase of ammunition for Kyiv. "Their struggle is our struggle, their security is our security, their values are ours", he emphasized. "We don't have the luxury of choosing between having one challenge or two," said Stoltenberg, convinced of the allies' ability to continue assisting Ukraine and, at the same time, help Israel in different ways.
Zelenski left Brussels without hiding his concern for the uncertain months ahead, with the potential re-election of Donald Trump as president on the horizon. "Will the support be less than what they offer now? Even now, in the middle of the election period in the United States, they already see the difficulties. Our allies tell us no, but who knows what will happen. No one," he admitted.
