Ukraine has almost all promised military vehicles, NATO says
Mike Brest
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Almost all of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine by its Western allies have arrived ahead of the former’s expected counteroffensive, NATO’s top military commander told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who is also the top commander of U.S. forces in Europe, told the House Armed Services Committee that “over 98% of the combat vehicles are already there,” adding, “I am very confident that we have delivered the material that they need and we’ll continue a pipeline to sustain their operations as well.”
US AID TO UKRAINE MAY BE CONTINGENT ON SUCCESS OF UPCOMING COUNTEROFFENSIVE
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told reporters last week that roughly 50 countries have given Ukraine more than 230 tanks and more than 1,550 armored vehicles. After meeting with defense leaders from roughly 50 nations for the latest Defense Contact Group, where they discuss Ukraine’s latest needs, Austin said the United States has “met our initial goals to provide what’s required to get started,” though he noted, “We understand that we’re going to have to continue to sustain Ukraine’s effort going forward when the fight starts and long after the fight continues.”
Cavoli said they “sat down with our Ukrainian colleagues” and figured out what aid they’ll need for their offensive: “We checked it a couple of times, and we gathered it from our allies, who were very generous, especially with regard to tanks and armored fighting vehicles. And we have been shipping it into the country.”
While President Joe Biden and members of his administration have reiterated that the U.S. will continue providing support for Ukraine as long as they need it, there are some concerns that both Congress and the public could grow tired of such aid if Ukraine’s counteroffensive yields insignificant gains.
“One of the things that has, I think, really bolstered support, not only the fact that they’re fighting for our values, but they’re also doing very well, and nothing succeeds like success,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-RI) said Monday at a Center for a New American Security event. “If they’re successful, I think that’ll help bolster support. And it’s necessary because, you know, Putin’s plan is not simply Ukraine; it’s to restore the Russian Empire.”
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The U.S. has already provided Ukraine with more than $35 billion in military assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022, though Biden has declined to give Ukraine fighter jets and long-range missiles that would enable them to hit targets within Russian territory.
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander testified alongside Cavoli and told lawmakers fighter aircraft is about “eighth” on their priority list, “and so we have focused with resources on the highest priority capabilities, and that has been air, defense, artillery, and armor.”