Ukraine Seeking Advanced Weapons for ‘Next Counteroffensive’

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister said the upcoming counteroffensive would not be the last. The diplomat requested NATO members transfer more advanced weapons to Kiev for the coming operations, including F-16s. 

Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, said in an interview with Deutsche Welle, “Do not consider this counteroffensive as the last one, because we do not know what will come out of it.” He continued, “It means we have to prepare for the next counteroffensive.”

For months, the Pentagon has been assisting Kiev in planning its operations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has used the forthcoming counteroffensive to lobby for more weapons from his Western backers. 

Last week, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadim Pristayko indicated the long-anticipated operations would begin once the weather improves. Recently American and Ukrainian officials have suggested the counteroffensive to retake territory could fail. 

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that the results of the counteroffensive would have significant sway over whether Ukraine continues to receive US support. “If Ukraine is successful in the eyes of the American people and the world, I think it will be a game-changer for continued support.” He continued, “If they are not, that will also have an impact, in a negative way, though.”

Although, at a joint press conference on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Minister James Cleverly explained Western support is not based on Ukraine’s battlefield success. “We need to continue to support them, irrespective of whether this forthcoming offensive generates huge gains on the battlefield, because until this conflict is resolved and resolved properly, it is not over,” Cleverly said.

Kuleba called for Kiev’s Western backers to send more weapons to Ukraine for future operations. “Weapons, weapons and once again weapons are needed to win in the war. Germany has plenty of them and much depends on Germany,” the Ukrainian diplomat told the German outlet. 

This week, the Biden administration announced a $1.2 billion weapons package for Kiev, including air defenses and artillery ammunition. The Department of Defense said the arms will help ensure Ukraine’s ” long term security.”

Still, Kuleba wants Berlin to pressure Washington to send F-16s to Ukraine. “The power of German diplomacy should also not be underestimated,” the Ukrainian diplomat stated. 

While the White House has resisted Kiev’s frequent calls to send advanced aircraft to Ukraine, there are some indications that Washington and London are preparing to take that step as Ukrainian pilots are currently training on Western-made fighter jets in the US and UK.