Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that he expects to sign several new Western defense packages for Ukraine this month and next. In his evening video address, Zelensky said, "We are preparing new agreements with partners, strong bilateral agreements." He added, "January and February are supposed to bring corresponding results. There are already specific dates when new and powerful documents can be expected."
Since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv's Western allies have united in providing unprecedented military assistance to support Zelensky in defending his country. However, as the war continues into its third year, little change has occurred along the front line in the past twelve months, and opposition to further assistance and funding in the United States has increased in recent months.
Zelensky did not specify the countries with which he hopes to finalize agreements. The Ukrainian president has spent weeks on an international diplomatic tour in an effort to secure more political and military support. He has often reiterated that the increasing airstrikes by Russia during winter and Moscow's slow yet exhausting offensive in eastern Ukraine highlight the need to further enhance Kyiv's air and ground defenses.
Earlier this month, Britain, one of Kyiv's strongest supporters, announced that it would increase its support for Ukraine in the next fiscal year to £2.5 billion ($3.19 billion). French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Tuesday that he would visit Ukraine in February to finalize a bilateral security guarantee agreement under which Paris will supply more advanced weapons to Kyiv, including long-range cruise missiles.
