As the world nears one year since the Russia-Ukraine War began, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with the most military assistance and aid by far. Even with the money and equipment already sent, Kyiv is still requesting more weapons as a lifeline in the war.
The U.S. has denied Ukraine’s request for long-range missiles. Officials said there aren’t enough missiles in the stockpile to share. The U.S. is concerned it wouldn’t have enough long-range missiles for its own military’s readiness if it sent the artillery overseas.
It’s not only long-range missiles that are on Ukraine’s wishlist from America. Tuesday, Ukraine renewed its plea for fighter jets. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been vocal in asking allies to provide combat planes. Fighter jets are just another request that the U.S. has already declined to grant. Ukraine’s request comes just days after Western countries pledged to provide Kyiv with fighter tanks.
While Ukraine is asking for heavy military equipment, NATO allies say the focus should be on keeping Ukraine’s ammunition stocked. NATO’s secretary general has said supplying Ukraine with proper weaponry is “urgent” as the war enters what U.S. and NATO officials are calling a “critical phase.”
Those officials predict the war will ramp up when the weather warms. They also predict that both Ukraine and Russia will execute offensive plans in the spring.