Next week could be historic for Ukraine’s defense and pivotal in determining how the war will end. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in his evening address that Ukraine is doing everything possible for this: “We will convince our partners that our drones alone are not enough. More decisive steps are needed. The end of this war will come closer. I am confident of this.”
One significant event will be the upcoming “Ramstein” meeting, where NATO countries are expected to discuss new steps toward Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance. According to The Washington Post, Western diplomats are considering support options, though these proposals may not fully satisfy Kyiv. Nevertheless, such decisions will send a strong signal to Ukraine. However, there are concerns that the upcoming presidential elections in the United States could put further security assistance in doubt, which causes anxiety in Kyiv.
According to The Times, next year Ukraine may gain more opportunities for offensive actions by receiving access to longer-range ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow missiles, allowing strikes on critical military targets within Russia.
This situation presents another major challenge for the Kremlin. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Russian government to recruit citizens for the war, especially as Soviet-era armored vehicles are running low. On the battlefield, tanks from the 1950s, like the T-55, are already being used, indicating a lack of modern equipment. Meanwhile, arms supplies from Iran and North Korea have provided Russia with additional resources, but they also place extra financial burdens on its budget. Countries like China expect to be compensated for their assistance, further draining Russia’s military treasury.
At the same time, Ukraine can rely on growing Western support, particularly through the expansion of ammunition production for its armed forces. Western partners are also assisting in the development of Ukraine’s defense industry, providing additional long-term advantages.
For a better understanding of the context of Russian aggression, we recommend reading the article on the latest military crimes committed by Russia: Russian military once again committed crimes against Ukrainian prisoners: cynical executions on camera.