Ukraine needs to receive significantly more military support than allies have provided so far in order “to finish Russian aggression this year," Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk said.
"We are thankful to our allies for their military help. But it is not enough. Ukraine needs 10 times more to finish Russian aggression this year," Melnyk tweeted.
He called on Ukraine’s partners to "cross all artificial red lines" and devote 1% of GDP to supply weapons to Ukraine.
“Our allies have to comprehend the scale of this war," the deputy minister said in a conversation with Ukrainian media Friday.
Melnyk cited US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's comment that an international coalition has so far provided Ukraine with $55 billion worth of support.
"That seems like a large number. But in contrast with the Second World War, where, unfortunately, more and more parallels can be drawn, over $50 billion worth of help was supplied under US lend-lease alone in the 1940s," the Ukrainian official said. "The equivalent today would be around $700-800 billion."
What Ukraine has received from allies: Modern battle tanks are among the key contributions provided to Ukraine by Western allies, with Ukrainian forces set to begin training on how to operate Abrams tanks next month.
The coalition's $55 billion in security assistance for Ukraine has included “more than 230 tanks and more than 1,550 armored vehicles and other equipment and munitions,” according to Austin.