What military assistance is Ukraine receiving from US and Europe?

IRIA Staff - February 28, 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has marked a historic shift as several European countries reversed their policy of not sending weapons to conflict zones. As the United States expanded its ongoing military assistance to Ukraine, its Western allies and European countries are also mobilizing to send more guns, ammunition, and anti-aircraft defense systems to Ukraine to repel the invasion as Russia is encircling Ukrainian cities. The military aid comes as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called on Western allies for financial assistance and weapons to repel the Russian invasion.


United States

U.S. President Joe Biden has approved $350 million for immediate support to Ukraine’s defense, bringing the total security assistance the United States has committed to Ukraine over the past year to more than $1 billion. Anti-armor missiles, including antitank Javelin missiles, small arms, body armor, and various other munitions are included in the package “in support of Ukraine’s front-line defenders who are facing down Russia’s brutal attack.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that “This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats it is now facing” adding that the aid is “another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine.”

U.S. Army solder fires a Javelin anti-armor weapon system. (Image Credit: Raytheon Missile & Defense)


Europe

The European Union has agreed to provide some €500 million in arms and other aid to the Ukrainian military to fight the Russian invasion. The weapons would include more Stinger missiles and fighter jets. Poland has started sending ammunition by land while Estonia and Latvia said they were beginning to truck fuel, Javelin anti-armor weapons, and medical supplies to the Ukraine border.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on February 27: “For the first time ever, the European Union will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons and other equipment to a country that is under attack.”


Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that Germany will supply Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles, which can be used to target Russian planes and helicopters, from Bundeswehr stocks so it can defend itself against Russia.

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It is our duty to do our best to support Ukraine in defending itself against Putin's invading army," Scholz said. Germany also permitted Estonia and the Netherlands to deliver old German-made missiles to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president appreciated the help and posted on his Twitter account: “Germany has just announced the provision of anti-tank grenade launchers and Stinger missiles to Ukraine. Keep it up, Chancellor Olaf Scholz!”

FIM-92 Stinger man-portable surface-to-air missile system (Image Credit: MDAA)


Netherlands

The Netherlands will send anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. The Dutch government will supply 50 Panzerfaust-3 anti-tank weapons and 400 rockets, the country’s defense ministry said.

Last week, the Netherlands agreed to send 100 sniper rifles with 30,000 rounds of ammunition, radar devices, and landmine detectors to Ukraine.

The Netherlands is also jointly considering with Germany sending a Patriot air defense system to a NATO battlegroup being formed for Slovakia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to further strengthen NATO’s collective deterrent and defense on the eastern flank of the region.


Belgium

Belgium has announced support to the Ukrainian forces with 2,000 machine guns and 3,800 tons of fuel. Belgium will also deploy 300 troops in Romania as part of NATO efforts to strengthen its eastern flank, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

Earlier, the Belgian defense ministry announced that it has dispatched the aid for Ukraine, including protective military equipment, such as helmets and vests, as well as night-vision goggles.

Ukrainian servicemen sit atop armored personnel carriers driving on a road in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. Image Credit: Vadim Ghirda/AP)


Czech Republic

The Czech Republic will be sending 30,000 pistols, 7,000 assault rifles, 3,000 machine guns, several dozen rifles for snipers and about a million rounds of ammunition in support of Ukraine, Czech defense minister Jana Cernochova stated.

According to the Czech Defense Ministry, the country is sending $8.57 million worth of weapons to help Ukraine to counter the Russian attack. The machine guns, assault rifles, and other light weapons shipment will be delivered to the location selected by the Ukrainian side.


France

French presidential administration released a statement saying that during a security and national defense council session on February 26 evening, French President Emmanuel Macron made a decision "to organize additional supplies of military equipment to the Ukrainian authorities, and to provide fuel assistance."

The statement also added that France would "toughen economic and financial sanctions in coordination with European countries and the United States."

French troops walk down the Champs-Elysees Avenue during the Bastille Day parade on July 14, 2021. (Image Credit: Michel Euler/AP)


Sweden

Sweden also announced to send military aid, including anti-tank launchers, helmets, and body armor to Ukraine. "Sweden is now proposing direct support for Ukraine's armed forces. It includes 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 body shields, and 5,000 anti-tank weapons," Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said.

With the move, Sweden will break its longstanding policy of not sending arms to countries engaged in an active conflict.


Denmark

Denmark will be sending 2,700 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced.

Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen also announced that the country would receive Ukrainian refugees, and send humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its neighbors.


Finland

Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on February 28 that his country will be sending weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. According to the government sources, the country also allowed Estonia to deliver Finnish-owned field guns to Ukraine.

Finland’s Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen said that the shipment of military assistance to Ukraine will include 1,500 anti-tank weapons, 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 bullets, 2,000 bulletproof vests, 2,000 helmets, 70,000 food packages, as well as equipment for emergency medical care stations.

Ukrainian soldiers stand at armored personnel carriers, with Ukrainian flags in the back, as Ukrainian army troops receive ammunition in a field on the outskirts of Izyum, Eastern Ukraine, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. (Image Credit: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense)

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