Ukraine War Update NEWS: NATO and Military Aid News
Table of Contents 📖
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"If Ukraine does not win, there's no point in discussing joining NATO."
Hello Team!
Jonathan had to split today's news update into two parts due to the large amount of content to cover, especially regarding military aid and geopolitical developments from the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius.
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Military Aid
- The US and NATO leaders approved a substantial new aid package for Ukraine, details to be announced
- Norway increased its military aid fund for Ukraine from $240 million to $930 million and will transfer 1,000 Black Hornet small reconnaissance drones
- Ukraine and Sweden signed a defence procurement cooperation agreement
- France will provide an additional €170 million in military aid and establish a joint spare parts production and maintenance base for foreign weapons
- The UK announced a new aid package including vehicles, ammunition, equipment repair support, and a rehabilitation centre
- Britain ordered £280 million worth of munitions from BAE Systems to replenish stockpiles and ensure supply for Ukraine
- Germany pledged equipment including Patriot launchers, Leopard 1A5 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery rounds, and drones
- Italy delivered around 40 M109L self-propelled guns and 45 Iveco VM90 tactical vehicles
Artillery Production
The US and six European artillery manufacturers (Rheinmetall, CSG, SARP, BAE Systems, PGZ, and Nammo) are ramping up production to over 2.5 million 155mm artillery rounds per year by 2025. This represents a significant increase from pre-war levels and will help ensure a steady supply of ammunition for Ukraine. Russia will likely struggle to compete with this combined output.
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F-16 Training
A coalition of 11 nations will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s in August at a base in Romania. The Netherlands will provide the F-16s for training. Ukraine's foreign minister expects the first F-16s to be operational in Ukrainian skies by the end of March 2024.
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NATO Summit and Ukraine's Membership
- NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized that if Ukraine does not win, discussing NATO membership is pointless
- Ukraine will receive an invitation to join NATO when all allies agree and conditions are met; the requirement to fill out the membership action plan (MAP) will be cancelled
- A Ukraine-NATO council was launched with the first meeting to be held with Zelensky's participation
- Debates were heated, but the final communiqué will not directly invite Ukraine to become a member
- Zelensky expressed frustration at the lack of a clear roadmap, while some US officials were reportedly annoyed by his tweet
- However, the UK Defence Secretary stated there is now complete consensus that Ukraine will join NATO, with the question being "when" not "if"
Geopolitical Developments
- Hungarian PM Orban urged for peace talks, stopping weapons supplies and training for Ukraine, and focusing on improving NATO's own defences, drawing criticism
- Russia accused Turkey of turning from a neutral to an unfriendly country after allowing Azov commanders to return with Zelensky, despite Turkey's significant military aid to Ukraine
- US Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed amendments to prohibit sending F-16s and long-range missiles to Ukraine, arguing it would escalate the conflict and deplete the US fighter fleet
Wrap up
Jonathan apologizes for the length of the video but felt it was necessary given the significant developments. He thanks viewers for their support.
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