Countries Flood Ukraine With Military Support After Zelensky’s Appeal

A Ukrainian military serviceman aims with a next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW), a Swedish-British anti-tank missile launcher, during a drill at the firing ground of the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security, near Lviv, Ukraine on Jan. 28, 2022. AFP via Getty Images

Two days after Russia fired the first shots on Ukraine on Feb. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video saying he needs “ammunition, not a ride,” referring to the U.S. offer of asylum to the besieged head of state.

Since then, 15 countries have sent military hardware to Ukraine amid Russia’s continued invasion.

The majority of arms and supplies from ally nations are being sent via Ukraine’s 310-mile border with Poland, which has become an important lifeline for both supplies and equipment and for refugees looking to flee the conflict.

Some border nations have chosen to not allow military equipment bound for Ukraine to pass through their territory out of fear of Russian retaliation.

On Feb 28, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said his country wouldn’t allow “deadly weapons” to be transported through Hungary’s territory while reiterating that the government doesn’t want to be involved in the Russia–Ukraine war. Szijjarto cited security concerns for Hungarian citizens as one of the primary factors in the decision.

Despite supply chain and shipping challenges, millions of dollars of ordnance continue to flow into Ukraine from two continents.

Airmen and civilians from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron palletize ammunition, weapons, and other equipment bound for Ukraine at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, on Jan. 21, 2022. U.S. Air Force/Mauricio Campino/Handout via Reuters

United States

On Feb. 26, U.S. President Joe Biden authorized the State Department to send $350 million in weapons to Ukraine. Among the hardware on the list are Javelin anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft systems, ammunition, and body armor.

“The United States reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters,” U.S. Acting Permanent Representative Aud-Frances McKernan said regarding the Russia–Ukraine war.

McKernan then stated, per Biden, that neither the United States nor NATO had any desire or intention to engage in a conflict with Russia, clarifying that there’s no threat to Moscow from either.

This is the third time Biden has used his presidential drawdown authority to send emergency security assistance, now totaling $1 billion, from U.S. reserves to Ukraine.

“It is another clear signal that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign, courageous, and proud nation,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Canada

The Canadian government approved an additional $25 million in military aid to Ukraine on Feb. 27.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the country would send $7.8 million worth of “lethal equipment” to the European nation during a Feb. 14 press conference, in anticipation of a Russian attack.

“The intent of this support from Canada and other partners is to deter further Russian aggression,” Trudeau said regarding the initial shipment.

Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a news conference in Berlin on Jan. 18, 2022. Hannibal Hanschke/POOL/Reuters

German Chancellor Olaf Sholz announced on Feb. 26 that Germany would deliver 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles to “our friends in Ukraine.”

Scholz said that Feb. 24 marked “a watershed in the history of our continent,” asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is jeopardizing the long-term security of Europe, which he said can’t be achieved in opposition to Russia.

Sweden

In a departure from its decades-long neutrality, the Swedish government approved the shipment of 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, and 5,000 pieces of body armor.

“My conclusion is now that our security is best served by us supporting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia,” Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Feb. 28.

She said this was the first time Sweden had sent weapons to a country at war since the Soviet Union attacked Finland in 1939.

France

On Feb. 26, an army spokesperson said France would send “defensive military equipment” to Ukraine to aid in the resistance effort against Russia.

“It’s not only the Ukrainian people who are bereaved by the war ... it’s all the peoples of Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

United Kingdom

On Jan. 17, UK Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace said the UK would provide “self-defense” weapons and training to Ukraine amid the build-up of Russian troops near the border separating the latter two countries.

“In light of the increasingly threatening behavior from Russia and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on Feb. 23.

Johnson elaborated that the second military support package included both lethal and nonlethal aid.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a joint press conference with the prime minister of Estonia and the secretary-general of NATO at the Tapa Army Base in Tallinn, Estonia, on March 1, 2022. Leon Neal/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Belgium

Responding to a direct request from Kyiv, the nation opted to send 2,000 machine guns to the Ukrainian army and 3,800 tons of fuel on Feb. 26.

Netherlands

As of Feb. 26, the Dutch government has said it’s delivering 50 Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank weapons with 400 missiles to Ukraine to help with the resistance effort against Russia. Additionally, 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles were promised, along with helmets, shard vests, and sniper rifles.

Czech Republic

Formerly occupied by Russian troops during the Soviet era, the Czech government sent 4,000 artillery shells worth $1.7 million to Ukraine in January. The Czech Ministry of Defense released a statement on Feb. 26 saying it would also ship machine guns, submachine guns, assault rifles, and pistols together with ammunition at an estimated value of $8.6 million.

Italy

Joining the growing list of countries providing military aid to Ukraine, on Feb. 28, the Italian cabinet pledged to dispatch Stinger missiles, mortars, and MILAN or Panzerfaust anti-tank weapons. Among the items included in the defense package are Browning heavy machine guns, MG-type light machine guns, and counter-IED systems.

Portugal

Upon request from Ukrainian officials, the Portuguese Ministry of Defense announced on Feb. 26 that it would deliver military equipment, including vests, night vision goggles, grenades, ammunition, complete portable radios, analog repeaters, and automatic G3 rifles.

A German soldier holds a Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle at a military training ground on Feb. 13, 2014, near Weisskeissel, Germany. AP Photo/Arno Burgi

Greece

The Balkan nation sent “defense equipment” and medical supplies on two C-130 aircraft from Athens on Feb. 27 at the request of Ukrainian authorities.

Romania

Another former satellite state of the Soviet Union, Romanian government spokesman Dan Carbunaru said the country would ship “ammunition and military equipment” on Feb 27.

Spain

On March 2, Spanish Minister of Defense Margarita Robles announced that the nation would send defensive equipment to Ukraine.

“In this first shipment that will go aboard two planes, we expect to send 1,370 anti-tank grenade launchers, 700,000 rifles, and machine-gun rounds and light machine guns,” Robles said.

Finland

Finnish President Sauli Vainamo Niinisto announced on Feb. 28 that Finland would send an arms support package to Ukraine. The delivery would include 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 cartridges, 1,500 single-shot anti-tank weapons, and 70,000 combat ration packages.