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Saturday, Feb 21, 2026
Outside the box.
Zelenskyy Appeals for Sustained Western Support Amid Anticipated Trump Presidency
Ukrainian President Advocates Continued Military Aid, Citing Regional Security Concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has implored Western allies to maintain robust military support for Ukraine in light of Donald Trump's expected return to the U.S. presidency.
Addressing a summit in Germany, Zelenskyy emphasized the potential geopolitical shifts entailed by Trump's impending tenure, which is set to begin in less than two weeks.
'It's clear that a new chapter starts for Europe and the entire world just 11 days from now,' Zelenskyy stated at the event, where he was accompanied by outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Highlighting the necessity of consolidated efforts, he asserted, 'We have to cooperate even more, rely on each other even more, and achieve greater results together.' Zelenskyy warned that withdrawing military support could incite further aggression and instability, remarking, 'We've come such a long way that it would honestly be crazy to drop the ball now and not keep building on the defense coalitions we've created.'
The Ukrainian president stressed the importance of ensuring national security amidst global uncertainties, saying, 'No matter what's going on in the world, everyone wants to feel sure that their country will not just be erased off the map.'
During the summit, Lloyd Austin applauded Zelenskyy for his leadership and disclosed a new $500 million U.S. assistance package aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
This includes additional air defense missiles, ammunition, and equipment to bolster Ukraine’s existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to preventing Russian advances, indicating that a victory for Moscow could embolden further territorial ambitions.
However, this viewpoint seems at odds with Trump's intentions, as he has pledged to resolve the conflict within a day of taking office and has dispatched a special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, whose visit to Kyiv has been delayed until after Trump's inauguration on January 20.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, seems disinterested in peace talks, leveraging recent military movements in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's calculations appear to hinge on the prospect of diminished U.S. military aid under new American leadership, potentially facilitating further territorial gains.
The international gathering at Ramstein Air Base, comprising 57 nations and all 32 NATO members, was possibly the last of its kind under the current framework.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Italy to confer with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, highlighting the continued diplomatic engagement.
Zelenskyy lauded Ukraine's five-month offensive within Russia's Kursk region as a significant victory, attributing North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia with substantial casualties since their engagement last December.
Focusing on the development of Ukraine's defense capabilities, Zelenskyy invited partners to invest in the nation's defense industry, particularly drones.
The UK and Latvia, alongside a coalition of European states, announced the delivery of 30,000 FPV drones to Ukraine, funded in part by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
This initiative aims to compensate for Ukraine's limited conventional air force capabilities.
In a statement reinforcing international support for Ukraine, UK Defense Secretary John Healey remarked, 'The Ramstein meeting sends a clear message to Putin about the international community’s unwavering support for Ukraine,' reiterating the UK's commitment to allocate £3 billion in military aid annually.
Concurrently, the Kremlin has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
This was evidenced by the tragic recent strike on Zaporizhzhia, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries from Russian glide bombs.
Simultaneously, tensions have risen between Slovakia and Ukraine concerning halted gas transit, with Slovakia's pro-Russian government threatening reciprocal actions that could affect bilateral aid and energy supplies.
Addressing a summit in Germany, Zelenskyy emphasized the potential geopolitical shifts entailed by Trump's impending tenure, which is set to begin in less than two weeks.
'It's clear that a new chapter starts for Europe and the entire world just 11 days from now,' Zelenskyy stated at the event, where he was accompanied by outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Highlighting the necessity of consolidated efforts, he asserted, 'We have to cooperate even more, rely on each other even more, and achieve greater results together.' Zelenskyy warned that withdrawing military support could incite further aggression and instability, remarking, 'We've come such a long way that it would honestly be crazy to drop the ball now and not keep building on the defense coalitions we've created.'
The Ukrainian president stressed the importance of ensuring national security amidst global uncertainties, saying, 'No matter what's going on in the world, everyone wants to feel sure that their country will not just be erased off the map.'
During the summit, Lloyd Austin applauded Zelenskyy for his leadership and disclosed a new $500 million U.S. assistance package aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
This includes additional air defense missiles, ammunition, and equipment to bolster Ukraine’s existing fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to preventing Russian advances, indicating that a victory for Moscow could embolden further territorial ambitions.
However, this viewpoint seems at odds with Trump's intentions, as he has pledged to resolve the conflict within a day of taking office and has dispatched a special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, whose visit to Kyiv has been delayed until after Trump's inauguration on January 20.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, seems disinterested in peace talks, leveraging recent military movements in eastern Ukraine.
Russia's calculations appear to hinge on the prospect of diminished U.S. military aid under new American leadership, potentially facilitating further territorial gains.
The international gathering at Ramstein Air Base, comprising 57 nations and all 32 NATO members, was possibly the last of its kind under the current framework.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Italy to confer with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, highlighting the continued diplomatic engagement.
Zelenskyy lauded Ukraine's five-month offensive within Russia's Kursk region as a significant victory, attributing North Korean forces fighting alongside Russia with substantial casualties since their engagement last December.
Focusing on the development of Ukraine's defense capabilities, Zelenskyy invited partners to invest in the nation's defense industry, particularly drones.
The UK and Latvia, alongside a coalition of European states, announced the delivery of 30,000 FPV drones to Ukraine, funded in part by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
This initiative aims to compensate for Ukraine's limited conventional air force capabilities.
In a statement reinforcing international support for Ukraine, UK Defense Secretary John Healey remarked, 'The Ramstein meeting sends a clear message to Putin about the international community’s unwavering support for Ukraine,' reiterating the UK's commitment to allocate £3 billion in military aid annually.
Concurrently, the Kremlin has escalated its attacks on Ukrainian civilians.
This was evidenced by the tragic recent strike on Zaporizhzhia, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries from Russian glide bombs.
Simultaneously, tensions have risen between Slovakia and Ukraine concerning halted gas transit, with Slovakia's pro-Russian government threatening reciprocal actions that could affect bilateral aid and energy supplies.
