“Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Vilnius is a way to recalibrate the military, humanitarian and financial aid that Ukraine needs…”. The president of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky with these words. A quick trip, unannounced for security reasons, that of the Ukrainian president.
The last trip to Lithuania
In his last visit to Lithuania, on the occasion of the NATO summit in July last year, Zelensky, who had hoped to obtain an acceleration of the process of entry into the Atlantic alliance, had to settle for promises of enlargement also in Kiev. But once the war was over. What, however, he had been able to collect was the confirmation of a commitment to decisive and long-term support with supplies of weapons for as long as necessary. Perhaps, now more than ever, the outcomes of the conflict are linked precisely to war equipment.
The problem of weapons…
Russia has its warehouses empty and must resort to supplies from Iran, particularly with regard to drones. According to the United States, however, North Korea also came to Moscow’s aid by providing missiles. The White House – explained the spokesperson of the National Security Council, John Kirby – would have evidence that last week Pyongyang transferred launchers and several dozen ballistic missiles to Russia. An issue that will be brought to the attention of the UN Security Council today.
The shortage of arms supplies, however, is an issue that also affects Kiev. “We are waiting to receive a 50 billion euro package from the EU – highlighted the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force – after Hungary blocked its approval. We depend on Western supplies…”. The news coming from the Pentagon is not good. “The supply of missiles of the Patriot anti-aircraft system – he warned – may soon become unsustainable …”.
Great Britain’s reassurances
Reassurances for Kiev instead come from Great Britain. The Ministry of Defense in London has announced that the Interflex operation, which aims to train Ukrainian soldiers, will also continue in 2024. Thirty-three thousand have so far been trained by the United Kingdom and ten allied nations.
This article is originally published on tg.la7.it
