On September 6, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with military leaders from the United States and delegates from over 50 allied nations at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The conference was part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group’s ongoing attempts to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. During the occasion, the United States pledged an additional $250 million in security assistance to Kyiv, with an emphasis on artillery, air defense, and strengthening Ukraine’s military industry.
Zelensky stressed the need of long-range strike capabilities for targeting Russian positions, which has been a topic of friction in conversations with Western allies. While the United States has provided significant military backing, fears about escalating the conflict have led to a reluctance to provide Ukraine with weaponry capable of striking deep into Russia.
The conference occurred at a critical time, as Ukrainian forces are engaging in counteroffensive operations, particularly in the Donbas region, where they are under increasing assault from Russian troops. The United States and its partners continue to study alternatives for providing Ukraine with more advanced air-to-ground missiles, including those suitable with newly used F-16 fighter fighters.
Zelensky’s pitch emphasized the need of long-range attack capabilities, which had been a source of friction in continuing conversations with Western partners. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine requires these powerful weapons not only to defend its own territory, but also to attack deep into Russian territory as part of its overall military strategy. He argued that striking Russian towns and military positions would put pressure on Moscow to negotiate peace.
Despite the obvious necessity from Ukraine’s viewpoint, the United States and other Western countries have been hesitant to send such weapons for fear that they may intensify the conflict, potentially bringing NATO members directly into the battle.
