Despite loud promises during the July NATO summit to support Ukraine, the reality turned out differently. Several Alliance member countries, including the US, Germany, and Romania, have not yet fulfilled their commitments regarding the delivery of air defense systems and other military equipment. This puts Ukraine’s defense capability at risk, as it continues to deter aggression from Russia.
Issues with Air Defense System Deliveries
At the summit in Washington, Ukraine’s allies confirmed their commitment to provide at least five additional long-range systems to defend against Russian missile attacks. However, as reported by Bloomberg, several countries are not rushing to fulfill their promises. This pertains not only to air defense systems but also to other military equipment that Ukrainian reserves are expecting to bolster their defense.
Consequences for Ukraine
Ukraine is facing additional challenges with the approach of the third winter in wartime conditions. Russian strikes on the energy infrastructure have caused serious issues with electricity supply, leading to scheduled power outages. This further complicates the situation in the country, which is already suffering significant losses due to combat operations.
Zelensky’s Appeal to Allies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his address on August 17, called on allies to accelerate the provision of military assistance. Zelensky specifically emphasized the need for timely logistics to deliver armaments, as this month Ukrainian forces made an unexpected advance into Russian territory.
“There are no holidays in war. Decisions are needed, as well as timely logistics for the announced aid packages. I particularly address this to the US, UK, and France,” Zelensky underscored.
Promises Are Not Equivalent to Actions?
The NATO promise to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense has become a central element of support from allies during the July summit. U.S. President Joe Biden called this initiative “historic.” It was envisaged that the U.S., Germany, and Romania would provide Ukraine with one Patriot complex each, and the fourth was to be assembled from components provided by several countries. In addition, Italy committed to supplying the SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile system.
International Reaction and Challenges
Delays in fulfilling commitments are causing concern not only in Ukraine but also within the international community. Support for Ukraine is a key factor in deterring Russian aggression, and any slowdown in the delivery of military equipment could have serious consequences for the country’s defense capabilities. Meanwhile, Russia continues its attacks, and Ukraine needs more active support from allies to successfully counter these aggressions.
And What’s Next?
For Ukraine, it is crucial that the promises made during the NATO summit are fulfilled on time and in full. Not only the country’s security depends on this but also the stability of the entire region. The Ukrainian leadership hopes that allies will understand the importance of their commitments and intensify their efforts to support Kyiv.
