Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he and all his people are “doing everything” they can to defeat “Russian terror.” He embraced the support of allies who have welcomed him in Washington.
Zelenskyy secured a promise of an aid package worth about 43 billion dollars from NATO members. US President Joe Biden offered an additional 225 million dollars in military aid, including a Patriot anti-missile battery and ammunition for the HIMARS rocket launcher.
NATO leaders have described Russia as their “most significant threat,” and US and German officials announced a plan to counter that threat. They said American forces will deploy long-range missiles, including Tomahawks and “developmental hypersonic weapons,” with their units in Germany. Media reports say it is the first time since the Cold War that US missiles that can reach as far as Russia will be stationed in the country.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, “It is something of deterrence, so it’s securing peace and it is a necessary and important decision at the right time.”
Officials in Moscow said NATO’s concerns are overblown.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: “Russia is not preparing to attack NATO. The alliance is following the path of constantly escalating tension.”
Another spokesperson warned that the world is heading back to the days of the Cold War.