NATO to Meet Ukraine’s Request

As Ukraine requests more weapons to counter the expected massive offensive in Donbass, NATO nations might be ready to step up to heavy weapons – even ‘NATO-standard’ equipment. This is what emerged from the second day of the NATO ministerial meeting on 7 April, which saw the participation of Ukrainian foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, alongside colleagues from Georgia, Finland, the EU, Japan, Australia and South Korea.

“I came here with a simple message,” Kuleba told journalists. “My agenda had only three items: weapons, weapons and weapons.” Ukraine needs equipment, he stressed, and it needs them quickly. Such a request is not a new one, but the sense of urgency, this time, was particularly strong. The reason, the Ukrainian politician explained, is that Russia is preparing a massive offensive in Donbass. An offensive that, for many Europeans, will be dejà-vu, as it will remind them of “Second World War large operations, [such as with] manoeuvres involving thousands of tanks.” Indeed, far from retreating to build a ‘constructive atmosphere,’ Russia is regrouping and repositioning forces, moving them to the East with a view to a large-scale offensive.

This is why it’s no longer the time to beat around the bush, Kuleba said. “Either you help us now – and I am speaking about days and not weeks – or your help will come too late.”

NATO countries responded positively to the request, and stepped up their military support. Although details were not disclosed, for reasons of operational security, it seems that this time the increase will be a significant one. While Stoltenberg has implicitly suggested that among the “wide range of different weapons,” there might also be offensive weapons, British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss revealed that allies agreed to help Ukrainian forces move from their “Soviet-era equipment[to] NATO-standard equipment, on a bilateral basis.”

In the meantime, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken emphasised that Washington won’t let anything “stand in the way of getting Ukrainians what they need and what we believe can be effective.” Last week, US DoD provided Ukraine with $300 million in new security systems (including laser-guided rocket systems, drones, and commercial satellite imagery services), plus a further $100 million to meet Ukrainian security needs.

Due to the changed security situation, NATO continues to strengthen the western flank, and is ready to increase its support for the Balkans. The West, Stoltenberg said, must be prepared for a long haul, as the war might last months – even years.

Sanctions

Speaking at NATO, Kuleba also insisted on the need to step up sanctions, too. He recognised and appreciated the EU and other countries’ efforts, and welcomed the EU’s fifth package, currently under discussion. The US is also discussing further sanctions: according to Blinken, these will target, among others, members of the Russian Security Council and investments in Russia.

In the meantime, Moscow is becoming more and more isolated in international fora. As Blinken revealed, Russia was expelled from the UN Human Rights Council for its human rights violations. According to Kuleba, however, more can be done. As long as the West “continues buying Russian gas and oil, it supports Ukraine with one hand while supporting Russia’s war machine with another.”

Placing recent events in stark relief, he wondered “How many Bucha” will the West still need to see?

Caterina Tani reporting from NATO for MON