Major General Maik Keller, deputy commander of NATO's support headquarters for Ukraine, told German publication WELT that he sees no sign of the West's commitment to Kiev fading after more than three and a half years of war.
Maik Keller coordinates NATO support for Ukraine photo profimedia
“From my perspective, there are no signs of diminishing support for Ukraine,” Keller stated. “Currently, the end of the war is not predictable. This fact makes the West's long-term commitment all the more crucial.”
Keller coordinates military aid to Ukraine from NSATU headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, where about 350 soldiers from 31 nations — including NATO partners such as Australia, New Zealand and potentially Japan — synchronize arms deliveries, repairs, logistics and training.
The scale of Western assistance defies narratives of “Ukraine fatigue.” Thus, only at the Logistics Facilitation Node of Poland, approximately 18,000 tons of materials move monthly – by road, air and rail. As of 2022, almost 70,000 separate shipments have passed through this center alone.
And NATO's PURL funding mechanism keeps aid flowing. Several European states are helping with more than 2 billion euros per month, divided into packages of 500 million euros each, financing equipment provided by the US to Ukraine.
“Currently, the mechanism is working smoothly, but it requires a constant effort to mobilize funds and adjust a large number of parameters to ensure a continuous flow”Keller explained.
At first a reluctant supporter, Germany has become one of Ukraine's most important supporters. The Patriot air defense systems supplied by Berlin are “priceless”, he said. Incidentally, Germany currently hosts the headquarters of NSATU.
Ukraine's drone force has become formidable
Ukraine's unmanned systems force makes up only 2 percent of the country's armed forces, but is responsible for between 30 percent and 50 percent of Russia's losses.
“This illustrates the magnitude of the problem,” Keller said.
The secret to Ukraine's drone dominance does not lie in traditional military training. Many operators are DJs, gamers or members of the digital community who translate unconventional thinking into results on the battlefield. Innovation cycles are frenetic – new developments appear every two to three weeks, sometimes requiring new training cycles after a single departure from the front.
“Ukraine faces a numerically superior enemy and has been holding the ground for years. This is due to Western support, but also to its own will and ability to adapt extremely quickly,” noted Keller.
Building Ukraine's military self-sufficiency
Western stocks are largely depleted – the predictable result of 20-25 years of neglecting national and collective defense in favor of other priorities. The logical way forward: maximizing production within Ukraine.
Germany is already funding the production of long-range drones in Ukraine. German-Ukrainian joint ventures multiply covering both repair and production needs. Ukraine is now among the world's top performers in drone technology.
“This strengthens Ukraine's resilience and at the same time serves our own defense capabilities”emphasizes the deputy commander of the NATO support headquarters for Ukraine.
Some weapons received by Ukraine — such as the Leopard 1A5 tank and the Gepard anti-aircraft system — had already been withdrawn from Western arsenals. Spare parts for these systems being phased out are becoming increasingly difficult to find. That is why Ukraine must produce these components domestically, with Western technical assistance and licensing agreements to enable the transition.
The strategic message to Moscow
Keller emphasized that no “miracle weapon” would decide the fate of the war. Instead, a steady flow of equipment and secure prospects for Ukraine are crucial.
“This would also send a clear signal to Moscow that a war of aggression does not pay off in the long term,” he said.
In conclusion, NATO's support infrastructure is not diminishing. It becomes institutionalized.
