The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Sybiga, said Ukraine has a “clear picture” of forthcoming military aid as he held talks with Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, who was in Brussels on Wednesday. “We have a clear picture – a clear timeframe, clear volumes – of what will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year. This helps us strategically to plan our actions on the battlefield,” he said. The assistance, he added, would include weapons and funds for arms production deals. Sybiga said he was “cautiously optimistic” after discussing with Blinken the possibility of conducting deep strikes on Russia, as well as Euro-Atlantic integration.

Blinken said in Brussels on Wednesday: “President Biden has committed to making sure that every dollar we have at our disposal will be pushed out the door between now and Jan 20” when president-elect Donald Trump is due to be sworn in. Nato countries must focus their efforts on “ensuring that Ukraine has the money, munitions and mobilised forces to fight effectively in 2025, or to be able to negotiate a peace from a position of strength”, Blinken said during the flying visit. The US will “adapt and adjust” with the latest equipment it is sending, Blinken said, without providing details. He also reiterated the call for others to step up. “We’re counting on European partners and others to strongly support Ukraine’s mobilisation,” Blinken said – calling for more artillery, more air defences, more munitions as well as training for Kyiv’s forces.

Sybiga stressed the need for more air defence systems after the latest night attack on Ukraine. “Russia is using Iranian drones, North Korean ballistic missiles and troops to attack Ukraine,” Sybiga said. “Ukraine’s defence cannot be put on hold.” Blinken said he had discussed North Korea’s actions with the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, after Pyongyang’s troops had been “injected into the battle, and now, quite literally, in combat”. Blinken called it “a profound and incredibly dangerous development” that “demands, and will get, a firm response”. Lire la suite »