Zelensky gets more weapons at NATO, despite fears of eclipse by Israel

But the focus of the talks on Wednesday was Ukraine, and the need for more air defence support to counter potential Russian attacks on civilian energy infrastructure during the harsh Ukrainian winter.

“We should be ready for the Kremlin to again bombard Ukraine this winter with cruise missiles and drones,” said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

“And we should expect Putin’s forces to cruelly and deliberately put Ukraine’s cities, civilians, and critical infrastructure in their net.”

Mr Austin said the US would also get involved in a Dutch-Danish-Belgian initiative to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, including by training pilots.

He emphasised that events in Israel, where Washington is already working to beef up the country’s Iron Dome air defence system, would not sap US support for Kyiv, despite wrangles over congressional funding for Ukraine.

“The energy, in my view, is still there,” he said. “And I will reassure them [the Ukrainians] that we remain committed to this.”

Britain was similarly unequivocal; Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told ITV “the war in Europe … is absolutely at the forefront of our minds”.

“It’s very important that we still maintain this battle, and … don’t get distracted by the wider issues,” he said.

Mr Zelensky, though, told reporters that “of course, everybody’s afraid” that the Israel-Hamas conflict could divert Western attention and support. “Who knows how it will be,” he said. “I think nobody knows.”

He tried to make common cause between Ukraine and Israel. “We are in a war, so we understand what terrorist attacks mean – such victims, tragedy,” he said.

“Terrorists like Putin – or like Hamas – seek to hold to free and democratic nations as hostages, and they want power over those who seek freedom,” he said. “The terrorists will not change. They just must lose, and that means we must win.”

He urged NATO to support Israel, saying that for countries under attack it was “very important not to be alone”.

Air defence boost

His plea comes after some US Republican legislators, who have been stalling a $US6 billion ($9.4 billion) military support package for Kyiv, called on all military aid earmarked for Ukraine to be redirected to Israel.

But in a boost to the increasingly embattled Mr Zelensky, Ukraine’s biggest suppliers have this week committed more military support.

Mr Austin announced a fresh $US200 million package including air defences, artillery and rocket ammunition.

Britain pledged $US122 million, including mine-clearing kit and air defences, and Germany announced a $US1 billion package of air defences, including Patriot missiles and IRIS-T air defence systems.

Analysts say the actual military requirements of Israel and Ukraine, even in air defence, do not significantly overlap – at least not yet – and Israel’s arsenals are probably well-stocked.

“We have the capability and the strength to address different challenges at the same time,” Mr Stoltenberg told reporters.

Pipeline probe

Separately, Mr Stoltenberg also pledged that NATO would help Finland and Estonia investigate the damage to the Balticonnector undersea gas pipeline and telecommunications cable at the weekend.

Helsinki has said the damage was probably the result of “outside activity”, after finding signs of disturbance on the seabed next to the pipeline.

“If it is proven that this is a deliberate attack on allies’ critical undersea infrastructure, this would be a very serious incident and it would be met by a united and determined response from NATO,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

Reuters reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov describing the incident as “disturbing”, saying the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline last year had set a dangerous precedent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, again tried to use the Middle East crisis to undermine the global standing of the US. Speaking at an energy conference, he reportedly blamed Washington for recklessly side-stepping international mediation efforts, and for failing to address fundamental Palestinian grievances.