Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has drawn criticism for his remarks about Ukraine’s “shopping list” for weapons, stating that “We’re not Amazon.” Wallace, known for his occasional gaffes, expressed the need for more gratitude from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in light of the arms already provided by Western allies. Speaking at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Wallace suggested that Ukraine should appreciate the support it has received instead of continuously demanding more supplies.
Wallace emphasized the importance of demonstrating gratitude when persuading countries to share their weapon stocks. He stated, “We are not Amazon,” implying that Ukraine should not treat the situation as a simple online shopping experience. He also referred to his previous interaction with Ukrainian officials, where he drove 11 hours to receive a list of demands.
The remarks by Wallace came amidst discussions between Rishi Sunak, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, and President Zelensky during private talks. Sunak expressed his belief that Ukraine belongs in NATO and highlighted the progress made in security guarantees. The Ukrainian President voiced confidence that Ukraine would eventually join NATO and assured the summit that every effort would be made to achieve this goal.
The NATO summit has been marked by disagreements regarding Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance. While some countries, including the US and Germany, were cautious about setting specific dates, others pushed for greater support and encouragement for Ukraine. President Zelensky stressed the importance of Ukraine’s future membership in NATO and expressed confidence in its realization.
Ben Wallace’s comments have triggered debate and criticism, with some arguing that gratitude should not be a condition for international assistance. The delicate nature of alliances and the complexities surrounding Ukraine’s situation have been at the forefront of discussions during the summit. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed Ukraine’s proximity to NATO and expressed hope for future alliance membership.
