Kyiv clamors for fighter jets as war nears ‘critical’ phase

By AP 14 February 2023, 4:46 pm

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Ukraine's Defense Minister Kyrylo Budanov and Ukraine's Lieutenant General Yevhen Moisiuk, from left to right, are seen during the North Atlantic Council round table meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

Ukraine renews its appeal to Western countries for fighter jets to help frustrate Moscow’s invasion, as senior defense officials from the United States and its NATO allies say the war with Russia is approaching a critical stage.

With the war set to enter its second year at the end of next week, the Ukraine contact group meets at NATO headquarters in Brussels and Ukraine makes its requirements clear.

Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, when asked what military aid his country is seeking now, shows reporters an image of a fighter jet.

Moscow’s forces have been pressing in the east of Ukraine while bolstering their defensive lines in the south. The war has been largely static during the winter months, though both sides are expected to launch offensives when the weather improves.

Putin was hoping Western support for Kyiv would fizzle out, allowing him to charge ahead, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tells the meeting.

But Austin says the contact group will “help Ukraine hold an advance during the spring counteroffensive” and will keep planning for Kyiv’s long-term needs.