Ukraine Urges Allies for Stronger Military Support Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine has called on its Western allies to expedite efforts in establishing defense guarantees that will play a crucial role in any future peace negotiations with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized that fortifying Ukraine’s military is paramount for ensuring the nation’s security amid the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over three years.

Despite claims of progress following this month’s summit in Alaska involving US President Donald Trump, no substantial agreement has emerged to resolve Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine. Discussions between senior Ukrainian, Western political, and security officials regarding defense assurances and potential peacekeeping measures are ongoing this week, even as Russia continues to firmly oppose the presence of Western troops in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, President Zelenskiy engaged in separate meetings in Kyiv with high-ranking Ukrainian military officers and with Tony Radakin, the chief of the British defense staff, along with his successor, Richard Knighton. Zelenskiy asserted the importance of clarity and transparency in discussions about security guarantees, stating, “We must intensify our work to the maximum.” He highlighted the necessity for a detailed defense component in the security guarantees to be finalized promptly.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha conducted a conference call with representatives from the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and Finland. During the call, he reiterated Ukraine’s demand for security guarantees that are concrete, legally binding, and effective. Sybiha emphasized that the strength of the Ukrainian army is fundamental to any such guarantees and remains the country’s top priority.

Ukraine is intent on enhancing its military capabilities, driven in part by skepticism over the commitment of Western nations to confront Russia. The security assurances provided by the US and Britain in 1994, when Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal, have failed to prevent Russian aggression over the past decade. As Mykhailo Podolyak, an aide to Zelenskiy, remarked, “The question is not what security guarantees Ukraine will receive. Ukraine itself is now the guarantor of the stability of the European security architecture.”

Zelenskiy portrayed Ukraine as a vital force in the collective defense of Europe, declaring, “We are not asking. We are offering a partnership on equal terms.” He stressed that Ukrainian military brigades are currently the primary land force capable of effectively fulfilling collective defense tasks.

Zelenskiy expressed readiness for dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin but accused the Kremlin of stalling and ignoring calls for a peace agreement while its forces continue to make incremental gains on the battlefield. On Tuesday, Ukraine’s military denied reports that Russian forces had captured two villages in the Dnipropetrovsk region, near the border with Donetsk, although they confirmed that fighting is ongoing in the area.

Since 2014, Russian troops have occupied approximately 70 percent of Donetsk, with recent advances into Dnipropetrovsk. Reports indicate that Russian shelling of a coal mine in the Donetsk region has resulted in one fatality, three injuries, and the evacuation of 146 miners from underground.

In a related matter, an aide to Polish President Karol Nawrocki dismissed claims that proposals to limit benefits for Ukrainian refugees would compromise the Ukrainian military’s access to Starlink satellite internet services, which are partially funded by Warsaw.

As discussions continue, Ukraine remains focused on strengthening its military capabilities to secure its future and the stability of Europe amid ongoing tensions with Russia.