Half of military aid to Ukraine suffer delay: Ukraine Defense Minister
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Ukraine's defense minister warns that war efforts will become complicated without timely deliveries.
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Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during a visit to the front lines in an undisclosed location on Sunday, February 25, 2024 (Ukrainian Defense Ministry)
Half of the military aid provided by Ukraine's allies was not delivered on time, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov revealed on Sunday.
Talking at the "Ukraine, Year 2024" conference held in Kiev, Umerov warned that without timely deliveries, war efforts become complicated.
Ukraine suffered a significant field loss earlier this month after Russian forces took control of the strategic city of Adviica following weeks of heavy battles. Kiev said losing the city was primarily attributed to a shortage in ammunition, which is in great part owed to an ongoing standstill in the US Congress.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is experiencing delays in promised shipments during last year's unsuccessful counteroffensive, adding that air defense is critical to "saving civilian lives" and "strengthening our army on the frontline."
Read more: Two years into Ukraine war, West fails to contain Russia: NYT
Top Western officials arrived in Kiev on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of the war on Ukraine, which was launched in 2022. Visitors included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Belgian Prime Minister and current chief of EU's Council Alexander De Croo, in addition to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“More than ever we stand firmly by Ukraine. Financially, economically, militarily, and morally. Until the country is finally free,” Von der Leyen said in a post on X after landing in the capital.
Despite the heavy loss inflicted on Ukraine last year, which included the failed spring counteroffensive, Umerov offered an optimistic view regarding 2024, promising a plan that he refused to discuss publicly.
"There is already a plan for 2024. We don't talk about it publicly. It is powerful, it is strong, it gives not only hope but will also give results in 2024,” he said.
Read more: G7 leaders pledge more Russia sanctions on 2nd Ukraine war anniversary
Challenges and aid
Western support for Ukraine is facing challenges as Ukraine piles growing battle losses against the Russian military. These challenges include dwindling public support in European countries due to domestic economic crises, as well as challenges in maintaining financial and military aid for the war-torn ally.
Moreover, Washington, as Kiev's primary aid provider, has encountered obstacles in renewing funds to Ukraine due to deep bipartisan divisions on prioritizing foreign assistance over pressing domestic economic and social issues. These disputes are compounded by the absence of a clear exit strategy.
