It was announced Thursday that the US would issue a new security package for Ukraine, worth $225 million, including a Patriot missile battery, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems, and other munitions. This happens at the worst time, just when the U.S.—Ukraine's greatest benefactor—has already promised over $50 billion towards military aid since the invasion by Russia in 2022. The assistance had been held up in Congress this winter, and the head of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, expressed that inadequacy of weapons contributed to Russia's latest gains in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskiy has urged Western governments to speed up military aid.
At a NATO summit in Washington, President Joe Biden reassured Zelenskiy of continuous U.S. support, touting the international coalition's commitment to Ukraine. Zelenskiy, in turn, discussed achieving a just end to the war and called for a second peace summit this year, following an initial summit in Switzerland. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the exact point, indicating that the United States is there to support Ukraine.
Ukraine has been seeking ways to improve its air defenses following the incessant attacks by Russia against cities and infrastructure. Zelenskiy wants to increase Ukraine's air defense capacity two-fold over this summer, pushing NATO allies to remove their restrictions on Ukraine, allowing it to use long-range weapons against Russia; some experts call it a "game-changer." NATO members pledged ongoing aid and outlined new support for Ukraine's path toward membership as the two-day summit closed, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an address, pointing out the unity and resolve against Moscow.
Meanwhile, the summit also hosted an awkward moment by President Biden himself, who addressed Zelenskiy as "President Putin," a slip that could add to calls for him to quit the 2024 presidential race. Biden referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump." Even in the light of these verbal missteps, Biden underscored to a questioner that he had been being ultra-careful in making day-to-day decisions about the use of American weapons by Ukraine.
The declaration criticized China as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war in Ukraine, making NATO's stance against Russia and China very clear. China's Foreign Ministry responded by accusing NATO of sowing discord and holding a Cold War mentality. Notwithstanding such tensions, NATO has gone ahead to cement ties with Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia in response to regional pressures from China.
The Hungarian position within NATO remains complex. In particular, after Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Kiev, Moscow, and Beijing lately, he has been in the hot seat. Specifically, his meeting with Putin in Moscow infuriated NATO allies. Washington clearly stipulated that any peace negotiation devoid of Ukraine's consent would not stand for the U.S. policy, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The NATO declaration vows at least 40 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine during the coming year, which does not hold for the multi-year commitment that Stoltenberg had pleaded for earlier. The meetings underscore NATO unity in a time of rising threats from Russia and China, though concerns over U.S. political dynamics have not abated, and neither has support for Ukraine.