NATO defense ministers will meet this Wednesday in Brussels to decide Ukraine’s pressing needs, but part of the meeting will be filled with the recent escalation between Israel and Hamas and the implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
With winter approaching and low temperatures expected for the season, defense ministers from the 31 countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), plus Sweden and Ukraine as guests, want to find a way to prevent Russia from reusing the strategy of bombing critical infrastructure and will thus seriously penalize the well-being of the Ukrainian population.
“We want to make sure that this winter Ukrainians have the air defenses they need to strengthen critical infrastructure and ensure that Russia does not force the Ukrainian population into the dark and cold,” said US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith. , in a meeting with journalists in preparation for the meeting.
A parallel meeting of the group of countries that supplied F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and/or pilot training will be held early in the morning. Portugal is part of the country that will provide training.
“I anticipate that the emphasis will be on air defense and ammunition, although there is no doubt that the Ukrainians will present a variety of requests,” the diplomatic representative said.
On the table are several issues of concern to Member States in relation to Ukraine.
The supply of fighter aircraft and the training of pilots must be completed by the end of the year so that the Armed Forces of Ukraine can use this reinforcement of military capacity in the counteroffensive that began months ago, but whose progress was slower than expected. due to the defense lines established by Moscow forces.
However, the conflict has progressed through the roof, with hundreds of ‘drone’ (unmanned devices) attacks in recent months by both sides and the intensification of Russian bombing in recent weeks.
Delaying the availability of fighter jets could affect the momentum of the counteroffensive, military and government officials in kyiv have repeatedly warned.
Ammunition and its shortage in member states’ stocks, as well as its availability for Ukraine, remain a concern for NATO, second only to North American uncertainty.
Since Washington stopped aid to Ukraine, member states have been dramatizing the consequences of losing the “strong” support of what is the largest military power in the Atlantic Alliance.
And as the presidential election approaches, just over a year away, voices, primarily within the American Republican Party, about the cost of Ukrainian support are beginning to cause a stir in the halls of NATO headquarters.
But the recent escalation between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, and its implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will also focus the attention of the allies.
The 31 member states of the alliance will discuss how it is possible to help Israel in the fight against Hamas, an organization that NATO classifies as terrorist, while preserving the Palestinian population and moving towards easing tensions.
After the massive bombing last weekend, claimed by Hamas against Israeli territory and population, there is now concern about the possibility of a large-scale war in the territory of Gaza, a Palestinian enclave completely surrounded by Israeli troops.
The United States has already promised to be available to support Israel in the fight against Hamas.
In statements prior to the meeting, Julianne Smith wanted to give her allies a break and stated that prolonged US support for Ukraine, support for Tel Aviv, and an abrupt stop to funding by Congress are not at stake.
“The message that emerged from our meetings is clear: the United States will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary. And I think our allies will appreciate hearing that message,” said Julianne Smith.
At the meeting in Brussels, Portugal is represented by the Minister of Defense, Helena Carreiras.
Source: TSF
