“So far, by 2022, Ukraine has recaptured more than half of the territory taken from Russia“, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “The weapons and equipment announced today will help support Ukraine’s progress and build further momentum,” Blinken added in a post on his X account last night. The American Department of Defense announced a new shipment of weapons to Kiev worth 200 million dollars. The package includes Aim-9M missiles for air defense, ammunition for Himars, artillery shells and small arms with over 16 million ammunition. “The United States is committed to working with allies to provide them.” Ukraine has everything it needs to defend itself on the battlefield. “The Biden administration calls on Congress to fulfill its commitment to the people of Ukraine by authorizing additional funding,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
Russia can afford to remain at war with Ukraine until 2026 at the latest: Moscow will have sufficient human resources for a long time, but economic and technological problems will limit its military capabilities. This was said by the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kirilo Budanov, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda. “From an economic point of view, Russia can easily afford (the war) until 2025,” Budanov said. “In terms of the amount of equipment, it will only last until 2026 at most. Maybe a little earlier, because the pace of equipment renewals currently occurring is not that high.”
When asked about a possible Third World War in light of the ongoing conflicts, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence replied: “This is my subjective assessment: based on the totality of geography, we see several conflicts that at first glance seem regional,” with the exception of the Ukraine, but they are all connected by the same countries that are involved in these processes. So yeah, ultimately I think we’re moving towards a global war pretty quickly.”
Zelensky at NATO headquarters
Any Western support for Israel will not weaken the Atlantic Alliance’s aid to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to hear it himself. He flew from Romania to NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday evening. A surprise visit, that of the Ukrainian President, who penetrated for the first time into the heart of the organization that has supported him for 600 days in the war against Moscow. There, the Kiev leader took part in the contact group for Ukraine and reiterated his military priorities: more aid, especially more air defense systems, to prepare for the winter. “We will provide what is necessary, Ukraine’s fight is ours,” assured Jens Stoltenberg. The specter of escalating conflict in the Middle East may just be the hallmark of the two-day summit organized by NATO. First the contact group meeting, then the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting and finally the alliance defense ministers meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Zelensky himself called on “world leaders not to abandon the Israeli people.” “We understand what that means. “I remember the first days of our large-scale war, which began with terrorist attacks from Belarus,” emphasized the Ukrainian leader, according to whom Moscow “still has resources to interfere in the war in the Middle East.” Then came Zelensky to the core of its mission: to refocus attention on Russia’s invasion.
Video Israel, Zelensky: “The West should support those who are victims of attacks”
“The war is in its final phase, the hardest. We must increase military pressure on Moscow without giving it any breaks,” he emphasized, taking up a concept that he had already put on the table at the European Political Community summit in Granada. Air defense systems, missiles, ammunition: Kiev’s demands were specific, because winter is coming and Russia, according to the general concern at NATO, “is ready to use it again as a weapon and attack the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.” “We showed Zelensky “That the allies continue to support him, not only with words but also with actions,” said Stoltenberg at the end of the day. Denmark and Belgium have announced the next delivery of F16. Germany has just approved an aid package worth billions. Canada and Great Britain have also moved, although in smaller numbers. And in Brussels, American Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced a new $200 million package that includes the delivery of Aim-9 short-range missiles, ammunition for the Himars and Tov anti-tank missiles. Israel and Kyiv help? “We can definitely do both and we will do both. We are the strongest nation in the world and we will do what it takes,” said Austin, who also said he was confident that bipartisan support in Congress would continue for Ukraine. “Democracy has its times, the consensus among Americans is broad,” he noted. For Zelensky, the good news in Brussels didn’t end with NATO. Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, who met him immediately afterwards, guaranteed him that Russian diamonds would be pushed out of the Belgian market, which plays a key role in the precious stone trade. “But they’re damned,” interrupted De Croo. NATO’s attention remains high, also because possible accidents are imminent. The sabotage of the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia is being carefully investigated. The underwater pipe stays outside for 5 months. “What happened is alarming,” the Kremlin said. But the Russian hand is by no means out of the question for the Allies. “If it was a deliberate act that incapacitated it, our response will be strong and decisive,” Stoltenberg warned.
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