The US invites allies to discuss sending weapons to Ukraine in the long term

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (left) and US Defense Secretary Austin during a welcome ceremony at the Pentagon headquarters in the US on April 21 – Photo: AFP

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said defense ministers and senior generals from 20 countries, both NATO and non-NATO members, have accepted the invitation from US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The special conference, which will take place at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany on April 26, will focus on how to respond to requests for security assistance from Ukraine long term.

“This conference will mainly discuss modernization and ensuring that the Ukrainian military remains strong and capable of development. This is not a guarantee of security, but a matter of military capabilities. their affairs”, AFP news agency quoted Mr. Kirby as further explaining.

The Pentagon affirmed that the conference will be an opportunity for countries to consider the possibility of contributing to the strengthening of Ukraine’s military power after the conflict ends.

As part of the conference, ministers and generals will also discuss how they can continue to meet Ukraine’s current needs and what weapons could be offered should hostilities escalate.

“But I think Secretary Austin wants to take a longer, larger view of the defense relationships that Ukraine will need in the future when the war is over,” Kirby explained.

This includes cataloging potential products in the defense industry of each country, thereby determining how Ukraine’s partners can help the country.

According to observers, this meeting shows certain worries of the West if the war in Ukraine is counted in years.

This is because some countries have mobilized most of their stockpiles of weapons to transfer to Kiev or the remaining weapons have reached the threshold of having to stop to ensure their own security.

The US is leading in the amount and value of military aid to Ukraine since February 24, with more than 4 billion USD.

According to AFP, after Russia launched a “special military operation” and sent troops into Ukraine, about 30 countries have sent aid of all kinds to Kiev, ranging from lethal weapons such as anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles, to non-lethal such as helmets, bulletproof vests…