March 15
A meeting of the Weimar Triangle, which includes France, Germany, and Poland, announced the creation of the Coalition of “long-range jet artillery.” The direction for the organization of joint production of weapons in Ukraine was also confirmed. This decision will provide an impetus for deepening defense cooperation. The German corporation Rheinmetal has already announced plans to build four arms factories in Ukraine. Such activity by Germany will encourage Polish and French manufacturers to enter the Ukrainian market more actively.
March 18
At a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU attended by Ukraine’s Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, a decision was made to allocate an additional €5 billion for military support to Ukraine in2024 in the form of a separate Aid Fund for Ukraine within the framework of the European Peace Fund.
This decision was important for several reasons. The creation of such a Fund opens another channel for military aid for Ukraine other than weapons supplies resulting from bilateral security agreements. It is a long-term mechanism that will facilitate faster implementation of initiatives such as the Czech Republic's proposal for consolidated purchase of artillery ammunition for Ukraine. It also means that decisions relating to individual financial initiatives within the Fund do not require unanimity, neutralizing attempts to block such decisions by individual nations.
March 20
‘Russia Must Withdraw From Ukraine, Plain and Simple’ – Ukraine at War Update for April 29
The 20th meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine in the “Ramstein” format was held with the participation of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov. As a result of this meeting, several important decisions were made, including the US announcement to provide additional security support for Ukraine worth $300 million. These funds will be used to meet urgent needs in air defense, artillery, and anti-tank capabilities.
Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth €500 million, including 10,000 artillery shells from Bundeswehr stocks, 100 infantry fighting vehicles, and 100 transport vehicles. Belgium approved a package of additional military aid for Ukraine worth €412 million, that would include three minesweeping vessels in cooperation with the Netherlands, armored ambulances, reconnaissance drones and the transfer of about 300 armored vehicles.
April 2
The NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposed creating a special fund to finance military aid to Ukraine with a budget of €100 billion over five years. The purpose of creating such a fund is to provide reliable and predictable assistance to Ukraine for the long term. Stoltenberg said, “We must rely less on voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments, less on short-term proposals, and more on multi-year perspectives.”
Ukraine’s Own Efforts
The Verkhovna Rada is actively working on the implementation of the President's initiative to increase the levels of inter-parliamentary diplomacy. The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, prepared an appeal to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson for a call to vote on a draft law on aid to Ukraine supported by the signatures of the parliamentary speakers from 27 nations.
March 19
The Verkhovna Rada made an appeal to the parliaments and governments of foreign countries to adopt measures on the non-recognition of the results of Russia’s presidential elections. The document also called for “continued provision to Ukraine of all necessary military assistance as the only effective method of countering the armed aggressor and assisting Ukraine in restoring territorial integrity within its internationally recognized state borders.”
March 18-19
The Verkhovna Rada Chairman visited Austria, where he had discussions with the heads of several European parliaments regarding the strengthening of military aid and defense cooperation.
March 21
Speaking at a meeting of the European Council, President Zelensky said that “Russian defeat is not a fantasy, but a completely earthly reality, something that can be ensured.
“But for this, Europe must unite around a common goal. After all, Russia's war is not only against Ukraine, but also a war against the whole of Europe and the European way of life.”
Europe heard the call of our President, answering briefly and clearly: “There will be weapons.”
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.
Oleksiy Leonov is a Ukrainian Member of Parliament from Odesa, a member of the Servant of the People Party, chef and restaurant chain owner.
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Comments (4)
Send Madyar to Washington DC to make contact with Mike Johnson.
The saddest part is that from the very beginning of the war West silently agreed to sacrifice Ukraine in the hope the war will be stopped there. Zelensky is too kind and decent a man, while what he really should have done a long time ago, was to create a passage for Putin troops so that those smart decision-makers and those who vote for them will see for themselves, how does it feel to have ruski boots tramping the streets of Berlin, or Paris, or Budapest and killing the citizens right and left. A great injustice is taking place and this is totally entirely wrong. No one is allowed to sacrifice another nation like the West does Ukraine. The only way to understand the depth of this tragic injustice is to experience it first hand. And I do wish Ukrainians let Putin parade all the way to Adriatic cost where people pretend that nothing ever happening.
The most important job in the world right now is for the entire western democracies to support Ukraine to oppose Russia in its attempted conquest and to win back all occupied territory. Unfortunately the west is only half-hearted in this and either through apathy or fear or both is not committed enough. Unless attitudes change significantly, this will go down in history as a decisive failure and the snatching of defeat from the jaws of victory.
Most of us Understand that Russia will not stop it's attacking.Just look at recent increased offences . Hopefully they will overstretch their advances .They may be replacing manpower but you can't replace skilled tank artillery missile crews overnight. I must admit I am fed up of hearing were going to supply Ukraine. like Germany with the patriots let's see more of this . while Russia is occupied in Ukraine it gives western countries the opportunity to supply vital support to ukraine.surely if NATO is united then moving defence forces from one area to another to take up any shortfall is the normal action to take.Its obvious to me that if Russia is not stopped it will cost more in the long run.