Zelenskyy asks NATO for help ahead of ‘winter battle against terror’

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited NATO headquarters, asking allies for more weapons and better air defense systems as winter looms. With October marking the war’s 20th month, Ukraine is preparing for winter, anticipating Russian attacks on power stations and other crucial infrastructure.

During the Wednesday meeting with the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, roughly 50 nations discussed how to provide more military aid for Ukraine.

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It marks Zelenskyy’s first trip to NATO headquarters since the war began and comes when uncertainty in Congress could affect the amount of aid coming from the U.S. It also comes as the world watches war between Israel and Hamas unfold, following the deadliest attack on Israel in decades on Saturday, Oct. 7.

Zelenskyy’s trip to NATO also comes at a time when fewer Americans are backing government support for Ukraine. In May, a Reuters poll showed 46% of respondents supported sending aid, compared to the most recent poll showing support among respondents at 41%.

In Wednesday’s meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged that the U.S. will stand for Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia. Austin added that a $200 million defense package would be headed to Ukraine soon.

Austin said that that package will include air defense munitions and weapons to fight Russian drones.

The NATO meetings come as U.S. senators discuss passing a significant, long-term aid package worth up to $100 billion. The status of that package is unknown, and whether it gets through Congress is uncertain as the House must first elect a new speaker.

Since the beginning of the war, U.S. Congress has approved more than $100 billion worth of aid to Ukraine.