Which countries are sending military aid to Ukraine?
In the Russian-Ukraine war, many countries including neutral non-aligned Sweden have started to send military aid.
As the war between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate after Moscow sent its troops into its neighbouring country, several countries across the globe are sending military aid to Kyiv.
According to Ukraine’s health ministry, the conflict has killed more than 350 civilians since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.
The UN’s refugee agency also believes at least 368,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries, mostly to Poland.
So, which countries are sending military assistance to Ukraine?
United States
On February 25, President Joe Biden instructed the State Department to release up to an additional $350m worth of weapons from US stocks to Ukraine.
In a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that $350m allocated through the Foreign Assistance Act be designated for Ukraine’s defence.
Ukraine has been asking for Javelin anti-tank weapons and Stinger missiles to shoot down aircraft.
The Pentagon said the weapons included anti-armour, small arms, body armour and various munitions in support of Ukraine’s front-line defenders. A State Department spokesperson said anti-aircraft systems were also included in the material.
European Union
For the first time in its history, the EU is financing the purchase and delivery of arms after leaders agree to transport weapons worth 450 million euros ($502m) to Kyiv.
Foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says some nations are sending the Ukrainians fighter jets.
United Kingdom
In January, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK had “taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light anti-armour defensive weapon systems”.
“In light of the increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament. “This will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid.”
France
France, which has already sent help, is dispatching more military equipment as well as fuel.
Paris said it has acted on earlier Ukrainian requests for defensive anti-aircraft and digital weapons.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands will supply air defence rockets and anti-tank systems to Ukraine, the Dutch government said in letters to parliament on Saturday.
It is also jointly considering sending a Patriot air defence system alongside Germany to a NATO battle group in Slovakia, it said.
Germany
Germany will supply Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks for defence against Russia.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It is our duty to do our best to support Ukraine in defending itself against Putin’s invading army,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday.
Canada
Ottawa is sending lethal military weaponry to Ukraine and loaning Kyiv half a billion Canadian dollars ($394m) to help it defend itself.
Sweden, Norway and Denmark
Stockholm is also breaking its historic neutral stance to send 5,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, with Denmark contributing a further 2,700. Norway is sending helmets and body armour and up to 2,000 M72 anti-tank weapons.
Finland
Neutral Finland takes the “historic” decision to supply weapons to Ukraine and will send 1,500 rocket launchers, 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 rounds of ammunition, and 70,000 servings of field rations.
Belgium
Belgium says it will supply Ukraine with 3,000 more automatic rifles and 200 anti-tank weapons, as well as 3,800 tonnes of fuel.
Portugal
Portugal is giving Ukraine night-vision goggles, bulletproof vests, helmets, grenades, ammunition and automatic G3 rifles.
Greece
Greece, which has a large diaspora community in Ukraine – 10 of whom have been killed – is sending “defence equipment” as well as humanitarian aid.
Romania
Romania – which shares a border with Ukraine – is offering to treat wounded people from the crisis zones in its 11 military hospitals as well as sending fuel, bulletproof vests, helmets and other “military material” worth $3.3m.
Spain
Spain says it will supply Ukraine with 1,370 grenade launchers, 700,000 munitions and light automatic weapons.
Czech Republic
Prague said Saturday it is sending Ukraine 4,000 mortars “in the next few hours” as well as an arsenal of 30,000 pistols, 7,000 assault rifles, 3,000 machine guns, many sniper rifles and a million bullets.
Croatia
Zagreb will dispatch 16 million euros’ worth of small arms and body armour.