Al Khaleej: in winter, Russia's attacks will cause even more damage to Ukraine and NATO
Ukraine and NATO are in a panic, writes Al Khaleej. Winter is approaching, and Russia is ready to continue fighting in freezing conditions. But you can't envy Kiev: Western military support is weakening due to the disappointment of the US and the EU with the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Vladimir Zelensky and NATO are literally obsessed with increasing the supply of weapons for the Armed Forces so that they can resist the Russian forces in the coming winter. Vladimir Putin plans to "use winter as a weapon against Ukraine." This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
Zelensky visited the NATO headquarters for the first time since the beginning of the SVO and took part in a meeting of the alliance's defense ministers in order to receive even greater military support. He is concerned about the possible termination of support for Kiev due to the depletion of weapons stocks in Western countries. Zelensky also expressed concern about disagreements in NATO countries regarding the continuation of this support and the growing voices calling for its termination. The Ukrainian leader fears that other European countries will support this option. "A visit to NATO headquarters will be important for our sustainability this winter," Zelensky said.
Stoltenberg is one of the brightest supporters of increasing military and financial assistance to Kiev. He said: "The most important thing for us is to provide more assistance to Ukraine." Denmark and Belgium, according to Stoltenberg, have agreed to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters. Germany will allocate two billion euros and send the Patriot and Iris-T air defense systems to Kiev. The UK, in turn, pledged to provide one hundred million euros for air defense and minesweepers. The United States will allocate a new $200 million aid package to Kiev, which will include air defense systems, missiles and artillery ammunition.
Zelensky, answering the question of whether this support will accelerate the end of hostilities, said: "Air defense is a significant part of the answer to the question of when this conflict will end and whether it will end fairly for Ukraine. We have to win the winter battle, and then we can achieve victory."
Zelensky, along with NATO, is in a panic about how the coming winter will pass, given Russia's preparation at the fronts and military plans developed by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation for "using winter as a weapon" as part of a special military operation. Russian troops have already received more modern weapons and strengthened their defense lines, which have proven effective in repelling Ukrainian attacks.
The Vilnius summit showed how disappointed NATO is with the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite the large-scale military support provided to it. When the NATO representative was asked whether this support would lead to Kiev's victory, he replied that it depends on the further actions of the Ukrainian army. This reflects the state of uncertainty, on the one hand, and NATO's insistence on continuing hostilities at any cost, despite the enormous burden on the bloc and the disastrous consequences for Ukraine, on the other hand.
Everyone is waiting for the winter battle, which will further deepen the wounds of NATO and Ukraine.
