Kyiv maintains that its Western allies are not exerting pressure for quick results, despite a relatively slow start to Ukraine’s anticipated summer offensive against Russian forces. The counteroffensive, which began in June, has faced tougher resistance than expected, resulting in progress being measured in hundreds of meters rather than tens of kilometers.
Ukraine had aimed to expel a significant number of Russian forces from its territory and shift the momentum of the war. While acknowledging the slow pace of the counteroffensive, Andriy Yermak, a key adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated on Friday that there was no discouragement from NATO members at the recent annual summit held in Lithuania.
During the summit, NATO pledged to strengthen security ties with Ukraine, although no specific timetable for Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance was outlined. Yermak confirmed that Ukraine’s western allies did not express a desire for faster progress on the battlefield. Instead, they inquired about additional support needed to expedite victory. Notably, the United States recently provided cluster munitions to Ukrainian forces and is reportedly considering the supply of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMs), guided missiles with a range of up to 300 kilometers (about 186 miles). France and the United Kingdom have also delivered or committed to providing Ukraine with long-range missiles.
Despite the limited gains on the battlefield, Kyiv remains reassured by the steadfast support of its Western allies, who continue to explore avenues to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities in its struggle against Russian forces.