[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to NATO headquarters Wednesday.
It’s the first time he’s attended a meeting in person since the Russian invasion began. The personal pitch for military aid came amid concerns that Israel’s conflict will draw support from Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he believes Russia is counting on that division. But the president also believes that the U.S. and Europe will continue supporting Ukraine. He asked allies to provide long-range missiles and air defense systems.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin dismissed the concerns while stating the U.S. can support both allies who are at war. He also announced a new $200 million military aid package for Ukraine while in Brussels.
That package includes more munitions for a new air defense system, artillery and rocket ammunition, and other equipment to counter Russian drones. Those will be provided, on the president’s authority, from Pentagon stocks.
The defense secretary estimates the U.S. has now committed $43.9 billion to Ukraine’s defense.