NATO Pledges Support for Ukraine After Russia’s Latest Missile Attack
NATO allies reaffirmed their support for Ukraine on Tuesday, following Russia’s testing of an experimental hypersonic intermediate-range missile last week. The missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, which Moscow claimed was a test of its new Oreshnik missile, is seen as an attempt to terrorize the civilian population and intimidate those who support Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as “the latest bout of Russian madness” and appealed for updated air-defence systems to meet the new threat. At a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, NATO officials agreed to provide concrete and meaningful outcomes to support Ukraine’s defense needs.
Kyiv has identified specific air defense systems it needs to counter the new missile threat from Moscow, and some allies hinted that they may make announcements on fresh air defenses for Ukraine ahead of a gathering of alliance foreign ministers in Brussels next week. The escalating tensions over Ukraine come as questions hang over the future of Western support following the re-election of Donald Trump in the United States.
Moscow has threatened retaliatory actions in response to Ukraine’s use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles. Despite this, NATO and Ukraine will continue to work together to support Ukraine’s defense, with the alliance pledging to provide military aid and other forms of support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. The joint council established by NATO and Ukraine in 2023 will continue to be a key forum for cooperation and consultation on issues related to Ukraine’s defense and security.
