In a statement on Wednesday, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace conveyed a message to Ukraine, emphasizing that its international allies were “not Amazon” and urging Kyiv to express gratitude for weapons donations. Wallace stated that Ukraine needed to demonstrate appreciation to Western politicians in order to encourage further support.
Since Russia’s invasion last year, London has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak affirming that Britain and its allies would reinforce their backing for Ukraine.
However, Wallace cautioned that Ukraine must convince U.S. lawmakers and skeptical politicians in other countries that continued assistance was worthwhile, asserting that “whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.”
Speaking at the NATO summit in Lithuania, Wallace responded to a reporter’s question about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s grievances regarding the absence of a timeline for joining the alliance. The defense secretary recounted his visit to Ukraine last year, during which he received a shopping list of weapons.
“You know, we’re not Amazon,” he remarked, alluding to the American tech and retail giant. “I told them that last year when I drove 11 hours to be given a list.”
Zelenskyy adopted a softer stance on Wednesday, stating that the summit had produced positive outcomes, despite the lack of a formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO. He added that he had received encouraging news regarding defense packages from allies.
Regarding Wallace’s comments, Prime Minister Sunak affirmed that Zelenskyy had expressed gratitude for the support received thus far and emphasized that further assistance would be provided as necessary.
“President Zelenskyy has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions,” Sunak remarked during a press conference at the Vilnius summit. “I completely understand Volodymyr’s desire to do everything he can to protect his people and to stop this war, and we will continue to give him the support that he needs.”
As Ukraine seeks to strengthen alliances and secure ongoing assistance, the importance of expressing appreciation and building persuasive arguments remains crucial in garnering support from international partners.
