"In 2023, Ukraine's financial system was stable, and the economy recovered faster than expected. The balanced policy of the Government of Ukraine, together with the consistent support of international partners, played a decisive role in our achievements," Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the press conference in Tirana on Feb. 28 that he wants to discuss new ways of strengthening Ukraine's defenses with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The EU Council on Feb. 28 approved 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in loans and grants for Kyiv, giving the final go-ahead for the four-year Ukraine Facility tool.
The Pentagon is considering tapping into the remaining funds in the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), even though it remains uncertain whether Congress approves funding to replenish these funds, CNN reported on Feb. 28, citing U.S. defense officials.
Belgium will allocate 200 million euros ($216 million) to the Czech-led initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine from outside the EU, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Feb. 28.
The U.S. will not send American troops to Ukraine, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a press conference on Feb. 27.
The European Parliament voted to approve the 50 billion euro ($54 billion) funding package for Ukraine, known as the Ukraine Facility, as part of the EU budget on Feb. 27.
The share of Ukrainians who believe the West is tired of supporting Ukraine has risen from 30% to 44% in just four months, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on Feb. 27.
U.S. military officials told the VoA that if nothing changes, the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa may run out of resources "for everything," including the support for Ukraine and training with NATO partners, by summer.
French President Emmanuel Macron is due to host a conference for Kyiv's partners on Feb. 26 to strengthen the allied commitment to Ukraine after the war entered its third year.
The narrative about 'Ukraine fatigue' is not based on evidence, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the Kyiv Independent at the "Ukraine. Year 2024" forum on Feb. 25.
The poll was conducted across 12 European countries before the fall of Avdiivka on Feb. 17.
Germany's coalition parties are preparing a resolution on arming Ukraine that does not explicitly mention Taurus cruise missiles, German media reported on Feb. 20.
Ukraine will also receive artillery ammunition worth 2 billion Swedish kronor ($192 million), Robotsystem 70 portable anti-aircraft weapons, anti-tank missiles, Carl Gustaf grenade launchers, hand grenades, and medical transport vehicles, the SVT public broadcaster reported.
Foreign aid is crucial for Ukraine as the financial pressure caused by the full-scale Russian invasion grows. Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said previously that the country would need at least the same sum in 2024 as last year.
The Nordic country's defense support for Kyiv since the outbreak of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 amounted to 22.2 billion Swedish kronor ($2.13 billion).
Russia forces are "taking advantage" of Western allies' delays in providing Ukraine with additional military aid, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Feb. 19.
Editor’s note: The following piece is a personal account of the Munich Security Conference from a Kyiv Independent reporter but does not purport to reflect the views of the publication. MUNICH – For three days every year, the space in front of the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in central Munich turns
The ISW notes that Russian forces secured air superiority during the Avdiivka offensive, while Western aid delays have hindered Ukraine’s defense.
The EU's collective economic power is by far superior to Russia, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the Kyiv Independent on Feb. 17 in an interview at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, adding that European nations must invest more in defense and support for Ukraine.
"We have identified at this point half a million rounds of 155 mm caliber and another 300,000 rounds of 122 mm caliber, which we will be able to deliver within weeks if we quickly find funding for that activity," Czech President Petr Pavel said at the Munich Security Conference.
Germany has handed over 3,990 155 mm shells, eight armored personnel carriers, three Wisent demining tanks, and other aid in the latest delivery, the German government said on Feb. 16.
There is no new information on the possible provision of Germany's Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters at the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16.
Sweden is open to providing Ukraine with modern fighter jets, but first needs a full-fledged NATO membership and the security provided by Article 5, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said on Feb. 16 at the Munich Security Conference, according to a Kyiv Independent reporter.
Germany and Ukraine signed an agreement on long-term security cooperation and support, Ukraine's Presidential Office announced on Feb. 16. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the deal with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his visit to Germany.
The assistance pledged by Bundesweher Inspector General Carsten Breuer includes mine-protected vehicles, explosives for drones, 77 MULTI 1A1 trucks, medical supplies, and spare parts for weapons systems.
Allies are planning to join forces and supply Ukraine with a million drones this year, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reportedly said at a press conference in Brussels on Feb. 15.
The initiative is led by Germany, France, and the U.S., and 15 countries total have already joined, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said noted.
Norway announced on Feb. 9 that it had asked the parliament to deliver an additional 10 Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) air defense launchers and four fire control centers to Ukraine.
Canada's opposition Conservative Party asked the government to send tens of thousands of decommissioned rockets to Ukraine instead of destroying them, CBC reported on Feb. 2. The Canadian Defense Ministry has confirmed that the donation is under consideration.
"I welcome the German Bundestag's approval of 7.6 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine in the 2024 budget. I appreciate that our agreements with (Chancellor Olaf Scholz) are being implemented," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the social media platform X.
"But it's not a substitute for American leadership when it comes to security assistance. And that is why it’s so critical for us to continue to urge Congress to pass that national security supplemental," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.
