May 28th 2024.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a quick trip through the European Union and received a second promise of $1 billion in military aid from Belgium. This came right after Spain had pledged their own $1 billion in aid the day before. The Belgian government also committed to providing 30 F-16 fighter jets over the next four years, while the Netherlands promised to work together with other EU countries to assemble a Patriot air defense system. Zelenskyy sees this system as crucial in protecting Ukraine from Russia's devastating glide bombs, which have caused widespread destruction in both military and civilian areas.
The day before, Zelenskyy had signed a bilateral security agreement with Spain, promising 1 billion euros in military aid for 2024 and 5 billion euros by 2027. This bilateral aid is crucial as the European Union is currently facing challenges in overcoming Hungary's objections to providing military aid to Ukraine. This has been a recurring issue, as Hungary, a strong ally of Russia, has been using their veto power to block funds that would benefit Ukraine's defense efforts.
During his visit, Zelenskyy met with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and, in addition to the immediate aid, secured a security agreement that would provide ongoing military support until Ukraine becomes a member of NATO. Zelenskyy has been urging for the urgent delivery of seven more US-made Patriot air defense systems, especially since Russia's recent offensive in Kharkiv. Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed that this system will be built in a short time frame, with the Netherlands providing key components and other EU countries contributing necessary parts and ammunition.
Ollongren also emphasized that Ukraine is not just fighting for its own safety, but also for the safety of Europe. However, Hungary's opposition to the swift distribution of centralized EU aid has been causing tension among their EU allies. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur expressed concern over the slow decision-making process and the urgency of the situation.
Originally, Zelenskyy was supposed to visit Belgium and Spain earlier this month, but had to postpone due to Russia's recent offensive. Despite facing a major military test, Ukraine has been trying to strike back at Russian forces, often using drones. However, Russia has improved their response to this technology, making it more difficult for Ukraine to gain an advantage. The delay in US military aid has also left Ukraine vulnerable to Russia's larger army and air force.
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