In Ukraine,on August 24,Independence Day was celebrated. US President Donald Trump congratulated Kyiv on the holiday, writing that the United States believe in the future of Ukraine “as an independent nation.” KITP KIT KELLOL and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Karny, who announced the supply of Dronov, ammunition and armored vehicles worth a billion of Canadian dollars in September, arrived in Kyiv. Many states,including those considered by the allies of Russia,Belarus and China,sent their congratulations.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said: “today, both the USA and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet won, but will definitely not lose. Ukraine has won its independence. Ukraine is not a victim, this is a fighter.”
According to him, Ukraine, with its best army in Europe, advanced defense technologies and experience in vitality, the European Union needs no less than the EU is needed by the EU, and in Europe Ukraine is considered not a “poor relative”, but a strong ally.
Ukraine will receive a “stable, reliable, strong world” because it will receive security guarantees, and such that no one in the world will think to attack it, the president said.
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Discrepancies in Reported US Military Aid to Ukraine: The “ERAM” Mystery
The Wall Street Journal recently reported on US readiness to potentially supply Ukraine with over 3,000 ERAM aviation missiles,a figure that clashes with the declared $850 million military assistance package. This raises the question: what missiles are being referenced, and what can realistically be purchased with this funding?
the abbreviation “ERAM” has multiple interpretations. It can refer to the Holy missile range Active Missile, like the American anti-aircraft RIM-174 SM-6 ERAM. More commonly, the “ER” index denotes extended-range modifications of existing weapons, such as the AGM-158V Jassm-ER and JDAM-REM.
Discussions regarding supplying Kyiv with long-range Jassm missiles for F-16 fighters have been ongoing as 2024. However, at an average cost of $1.5 million per missile, $850 million would only procure approximately 560 units – far short of the reported 3,000. Moreover, the US arsenal contains only several hundred AGM-158V Jassm-ER missiles in total.
The $850 million is also insufficient to purchase thousands of long-range AIM-120 Amraam air-to-air missiles (costing $2 million each) or the aviation version of the RIM-174 (priced at $3-4 million). Cheaper, short-range missiles don’t fit the “high-range” category.
However, “ERAM” also refers to the US Extended Range Ammunition program, launched in January 2024. The Pentagon announced plans to develop a new air-to-ground missile with a range of at least 400km,a speed exceeding Mach 0.6, and the capability to penetrate fortified structures. This missile is intended to be simple, inexpensive, and rapidly mass-producible – exceeding 40 units per month.
Development and testing are slated for a short timeframe, with 16 defense companies expressing interest. Preliminary agreements have been reached with Denmark and the Netherlands, suggesting a potential future supply of these missiles. It remains to be seen if this new program is the source of the 3,000-missile figure,and whether the timeline for production and delivery aligns with Ukraine’s immediate needs. – this is the name of the training program for Ukrainian recruits conducted by the British military.
On Sunday Norway announcedWhat will allocate about 7 billion kroons (about 693 million dollars) for air defense systems.
“Together with Germany, we are now providing Ukraine with powerful air defense systems,” said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gard Stor.
Both countries finance two Patriot systems, including missiles, and Norway also helps in the purchase of radar stations of air defense.
Author photo, Broadcast www.youtube.com/@presidentgovua
Author photo, AFP via Getty images
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recorded a video message on the occasion of Independence Day near the Verkhovna Rada building in Kyiv, which he visited on August 22. He emphasized that no one deserves peace as Ukraine. “I want to assure you that NATO is with you to develop the Armed Forces of Ukraine and make sure that you have everything you need to be as strong as possible in this struggle,” Rutte said. According to him, after the ceasefire and the signing of a peaceful agreement, NATO will help Ukraine achieve a “strong and durable world”.
Congratulations on Independence Day were sent by countries that are considered to be allies of Moscow. So, the head of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, wrote: “From the bottom of my heart I wish Ukrainian citizens to find their own answer to today’s challenges, and your multinational country-a peaceful sky, solidarity and truly independent development.”
IN your post in x Zelensky also shared the message of the chairman of China Xi Jinping, who wrote: “On the occasion of the Independence Day of ukraine, I express sincere congratulations and the best wishes to you and the pleasant Ukrainian people.”
diplomacy or sanctions?
Active diplomatic efforts at the end of the war continued all month. On August 15, President Trump met with Vladimir Putin in Alaska. However, despite the fact that both leaders have stated the success of negotiations, Trump has since publicly demonstrates growing disappointment due to the lack of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
The US President said he was considering the possibility of imposing new economic sanctions against Russia or rejection of peace negotiations.
“I am going to make a decision about what we will do, and it will be a very important decision, namely: it will be large -scale sanctions or large -scale tariffs, or both, or we will not do anything and say that this is your business,” trump said on Friday.
Zelensky repeatedly called for the unconditional end of fire,and his European allies also insisted on the cessation of hostilities.
He accused Russia of “doing everything possible” to prevent his meeting with Putin.
Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Putin is ready to meet with the leader of Ukraine when the summit’s agenda is ready,and for today it is indeed “not ready” at all,and accused Zelensky that he did not agree to any proposals.
The fighting simultaneously occurring continues. On Sunday night, the drone damaged the transformer near the Kursk NPP, representatives of the station said.
On the morning of Sunday,under the port of Ust-Luga,10 drones were destroyed,said the Governor of the Leningrad Region Alexander drozdenko. According to him, the wreckage of one of them caused a fire on the Novatek terminal. The governor claims that the containers with the fuel are not affected, and there are no victims of the attack.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that the Ukrainian military struck the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region. The Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said that the drones attacked an industrial enterprise in Syzran, not indicating which one. According to him, there are no dead and injured from the attack.
According to the armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russians on Sunday night attacked the country with 72 drones and the Iskander missile.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also reported that Moscow and Kyiv conducted an exchange according to Formula 146 by 146. The next round of exchange of prisoners of war was held through the mediation of the UAE.Ukraine has not yet commented on this message.