“The Anti-War Coalition Works!” In a message posted on Twitter Saturday, February 26 in the morning, as the fighting reached Kiev, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed a telephone exchange with Emmanuel Macron. “Weapons and equipment sent by our partners are on their way to Ukraine”, was still satisfied the Head of State. If no nation has so far announced the sending of troops to help Ukraine against the Russian army, three days after the start of the invasion, several countries have made material resources available to Kiev.
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The United States offers 350 million dollars of defensive equipment
The United States announced on Saturday the sending of new military aid to Ukraine in the amount of 350 million dollars (about 310.5 million euros). “This assistance will include new defensive military assets that will enable Ukraine to combat the armour, airborne and other threats it faces today.”detailed the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken.
“This is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous and proud nation.”, added the Secretary of State. Antony Blinken recalled that the United States had released 60 million dollars (53.2 million euros) in military assistance to Ukraine in the fall, then 200 million (177.4 million euros) in more in december “while the threat [russe] materialized”.
With the 350 million announced on Saturday, “This brings the total security assistance the United States has provided to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion”.
Germany delivers anti-tank rocket launchers
Until now, Germany had promised “5,000 helmets” to the Ukrainian army, according to Der Spiegel. The German government announced on Saturday that it had authorized the delivery to Kiev of 1,000 anti-tank rocket launchers, 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles and “various” howitzers, the government announced.
This decision marks a political break. In Kiev who reproached him not to deliver arms, Germany argued that this had been its line since the post-war period: not to send lethal equipment into conflict zones. This position was however less and less tenable since the outbreak of the invasion of the country by the Russian army. “The Russian aggression against Ukraine marks a change of era, it threatens the order established since the post-war period”, justified Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a press release. “In this situation it is our duty to help Ukraine as much as we can to defend itself against the invading army of Vladimir Putin”.
Concretely, these deliveries of rocket launchers will be made by the Netherlands, and the howitzers by Estonia. These two countries had originally acquired this equipment from Germany and needed a green light from Berlin to be able to re-export it to Kiev.
Der Spiegel adds that “the dispatch of 14 armored vehicles was approved on Saturday”, citing the Ministry of Economy. These vehicles can be used for the protection of personalities or for evacuations.
Czech Republic sends thousands of weapons
The Czech Republic has for its part announced that it will donate machine guns, automatic and precision rifles, pistols and ammunition to Ukraine, for a value of 7.6 million euros. “The government on Saturday approved additional aid to Ukraine which is facing a Russian attack”Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said in a tweet on Saturday. “The Ministry of Defense will also take care of transport to a place determined by the Ukrainian side. Our help is not over”she added.
Kulomety, samopaly, odstřelovací pušky, pistole a odpovídající munice v hodnotě 188 milionů. Vláda v sobotu schválila další pomoc Ukrajině, která čelí ruskému útoku. MO bezprostředně zajistuje i dopravu na místo, které určí ukrajinská strana. Naše pomoc nekonci.#StandWithUkraine
— Jana Cernochova (@jana_cernochova) February 26, 2022
The minister then told reporters that these weapons would include 30,000 pistols, 7,000 assault rifles, 3,000 machine guns and several dozen sniper rifles as well as a million cartridges. This donation will be shipped to Ukraine “in the coming hours”, she added. At the end of January, Prague had already approved a donation to Kiev of four thousand artillery shells worth 1.5 million euros which have yet to be delivered.
The Netherlands provides missiles and sniper rifles
“The Netherlands has very recently received additional requests for military equipment from Ukraine”, the Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed in a letter to the Dutch parliament on Saturday. The country “will supply 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible”. “The planned delivery of military goods was and is intended for Ukrainian self-defense against the armed attack of Russia”according to this letter.
Nederland doet een aanvullende bijdrage van militaire goederen aan Oekraïne. Dat land deed daar zeer recent een verzoek toe, dat Nederland inwilligt. Het gaat om 200 Stinger luchtdoelraketten. Dat meldt minister Kasja Ollongren vandaag aan de Tweede Kamer.https://t.co/WH5awrtkaY pic.twitter.com/aGZ7c3KLEg
— Ministerie van Defensie (@Defensie) February 26, 2022
“The Ministry of Defense shipped some of the goods already promised on Saturday”including sniper rifles and helmets, the ministry said, adding that “other goods will be shipped as soon as possible, but the Netherlands, like other countries, is facing logistical challenges”.
Italy helps with mine clearance
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday. “Our priority today must be to strengthen the security of our continent and to exert the greatest pressure on Russia to withdraw its troops and return to the negotiating table”detailed the Italian government in a press release issued after a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
He also announced aid of 110 million euros to Ukraine “for humanitarian and macro-financial stabilization purposes”as well as aid in military equipment “particularly in the sector of demining and the supply of protective equipment”.
Belgium donates fuel and weapons
The Belgian Prime Minister for his part announced that his country would supply fuel and 2,000 machine guns to Kiev. “Further analysis of requests continues”added Alexander De Croo.
Ukraine has asked Belgium for fuel in quantity to supply its troops. Our country has accepted and will provide 3,800 tonnes of fuel.
Belgium will also supply 2,000 machine guns to the Ukrainian army. Further analysis of applications continues.
—Alexander De Croo (@alexanderdecroo) February 26, 2022
France strengthens its involvement on NATO’s eastern front
If the message published Saturday morning by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Twitter suggests that Emmanuel Macron raised the subject of material aid from France to Ukraine, Paris has not yet officially communicated to this topic.
In a text broadcast Friday evening, the President of the Republic however announced “military reinforcements” of France within NATO. France has therefore chosen to“accelerate and reinforce the already planned deployment of fighter jets in the Baltic States”. For these purposes, “As of mid-March, 4 Mirage 2000-5 supported by a hundred airmen will be deployed in Estonia.”
#Europe | The war in Ukraine is upsetting the security situation in Europe. France is strengthening its contributions on NATO’s eastern flank. #Solidarity strategic. pic.twitter.com/9t4Zgemrpn
– French Army – Military Operations (@EtatMajorFR) February 26, 2022
Emmanuel Macron also announced “punctually strengthen the French system in Estonia” with a subgroup of about 200 soldiers who will be deployed “alongside our Danish and British allies.” It was also decided to speed up the “deployment of capabilities in Romania within the framework of NATO”with the presence of a combined arms battle group of about 500 soldiers. “These military devices are not intended for any escalation, but simply to participate in the defense of NATO member countries”subsequently justified the Ministry of the Armed Forces.