If the West arms Ukraine correctly, there will be a significant advancement on the battlefield, says Herbst

The West's expectations of a counteroffensive from Ukraine last year were unjustified. If the partners had first agreed and then provided "real support" to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian military would have taken place exactly as the West expected.

This was stated in Davos by John Herbst, former US Ambassador to Ukraine and chairman of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center in Washington. He emphasized that the partners' expectations were met against the backdrop of constant hesitation to provide Ukraine with certain weapons.

"Months passed, and we kept finding some reasons not to supply Ukraine with certain types of weapons. However, if we (now) properly arm Ukraine, there will be a serious advance on the battlefield," Herbst said.

The diplomat believes that the West does not understand that the war against Ukraine is only a consequence (not the only and not the last) of the fact that Russia wants to "revise the post-war world order."

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Zelenskyy expects defense and political decisions to be made at the North Atlantic Alliance summit. This meeting of representatives of NATO member states will take place in the US capital, Washington, in July this year.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed his belief that Western countries should speed up the provision of military assistance to Ukraine.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Alliance would continue to provide Ukraine with "extensive military, economic and humanitarian assistance" amid Russia's nearly two-year invasion. Thus, NATO members plan to provide "additional opportunities worth billions of euros" in 2024.

In addition, it was reported that NATO member states are continuing initiatives to support Ukrainian air operations to counter Russian strikes. The partners are discussing providing Kyiv with F-16 aircraft along with instructors to train pilots.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!