Even by Volodymyr Zelensky's standards, the Ukrainian president's quick tour of major European capitals was a success. From a visit to Berlin, he extracted a promise to deliver additional weapons worth 2,7 billion euros, Paris offered additional training for soldiers and light tanks, and London pilot training and long-range drones.
The ongoing supply of Western weapons is what gives Kiev the best hope of driving out the Russian invaders, a fact confirmed by the bombing of Kiev the night before last, the "Guardian" assesses. All 18 missiles apparently aimed at US-made Patriot air defense systems were shot down and casualties appear to be minimal.
It is not known for sure how Ukraine retaliated, but as the supply of missiles for its local S-300 and Buk systems is running out, it is likely to be Western equipment, be it US-Norwegian NASAMS, French-Italian SAMP-T, German IRIS-T or two "patriot" systems from the US and Germany that started arriving in the country in mid-April, according to the British newspaper.
Sophisticated air defense systems provided by Western allies have helped spare Kiev the kind of devastation wreaked elsewhere in the country as Russian forces continue their long-range bombing tactics. Military experts say the increased air defenses have deterred Russian planes from going deep into Ukraine and helped shape the course of the war.
However, "The Guardian" writes that the question remains whether Ukraine is getting enough weapons to have a chance to decisively win the war and that a partial answer will be known when it launches a counter-offensive. Regarding the expected counterattack, Zelenski said "we really need more time" when he met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday.
Some of Europe's latest gifts are now in use, the most notable being the stockpile of British "storm shadow" missiles, probably several dozen in number, with a range (probably over 300 km) of targets anywhere in Russian-occupied Ukraine. But most of the latest promises refer to the later period of this year, writes "The Guardian".
This means that in military terms, the deeper meaning of Zelensky's tour was that what the West promised may not be enough yet - and that it is necessary to ensure the flow of future supplies from Europe during 2023, in case the initial phase of the counterstrike fails, the analysis states. .
"Germany's pledge to donate €2,7 billion worth of weapons essentially matches Britain's existing commitment to provide £2,3 billion this year. It reaffirms the 'zeitenvende' (turning point) foreign policy announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz shortly after the beginning of the invasion, and Zelenski's presence in Berlin shows that after months of initial frustration with the slow pace of arms delivery, relations are now positive," the paper assesses.
More interesting, it added, was the quiet emphasis on the need for Ukraine to provide new fighter jets from Great Britain and France. During his previous visit to Great Britain, Zelenski asked for "wings of freedom" in his address to British MPs.
This was followed by a request for European Typhoon jets, which were never considered ideal for Ukraine's needs.
This time in Britain, Zelensky spoke more modestly about building a "coalition of jets", in an effort to gently convince the White House to give the green light to send F-16s manufactured in the USA.
Sunak immediately announced his agreement, committing the UK to help with "pilot training and overall logistics" to assemble a cadre of pilots ready to fly the F-16. French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Zelenskiy between Solac and Sunak, said his country was also involved: "We have opened the door for pilot training, with several other European countries."
Scholz, however, dodged the question when asked at a press conference in Berlin, and the US, at least so far, shows no signs of changing its stance. But NATO's next annual summit has been announced for mid-July (and the G7 meeting takes place at the end of Sunday), which could help those hesitant to give it serious thought, the Guardian said, noting that Ukraine's small air force is not expected to that survived can survive a long war.
European military support alone will not be enough for Kiev to defeat the Russian invaders, given that the US is the single largest donor. Washington has pledged $36,9 billion in weapons since the start of the total invasion in February 2022, including an additional $1,2 billion seven days ago, the "Guardian" reminds.
"However, at a time when the re-emergence of Donald Trump reminds Kiev that full American support cannot be guaranteed after the next presidential election, providing support to key European allies ahead of the early summer round of international summits makes good strategic sense," the analysis concludes.
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