The sustained and enhanced delivery of air defense systems and missiles from Western nations to Ukraine remains vital, countering Russia’s ongoing efforts to breach Ukrainian air defenses. The integration of these Western-provided systems into Ukraine’s air defense network has been crucial, especially in defending against Russian ballistic missiles.

On 4 January, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller described American aid to Ukraine as “critical,” acknowledging Ukraine’s current inability to self-defend. However, he noted that the level of US aid might not need to remain as high in the future, given Ukraine’s efforts to expand its Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to become more self-sufficient.