Agencies
Brussels/riga
More military aid “is vital for Ukraine’s ability to stay in the fight” against Russia’s all-out invasion, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
“Ukraine continues to intercept Russian missiles on a daily basis, saving countless lives. But Ukraine’s ability to maintain their defences requires increased supply and more support,” he said in a statement.
In the wake of recent heavy Russian airstrikes, Stoltenberg called a meeting of NATO allies’ ambassadors in Brussels at Ukraine’s request to discuss the country’s air defence needs.
Speaking via video-link, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov briefed the ambassadors and Stoltenberg on the battlefield situation and Ukraine’s priorities for military equipment.
“Allies today reaffirmed they are stepping up their military aid to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said in his statement after the meeting, underlining the importance of increasing supply without providing details.
“We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russia’s invasion,” he added.
NATO met with the Ukrainian defence minister through the NATO-Ukraine Council, a joint body set up in July 2023 allowing both sides to consult each other.
The aim is to deepen the war-torn country’s relationship with the alliance. The joint body is also a forum for consultation in crisis situations.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has received a new batch of military aid from Lithuania, including anti-drone systems, wheel loaders, folding beds and other equipment, the Defence Ministry said in Vilnius on Wednesday.
Lithuania, a Baltic EU and NATO country, did not disclose the value of the new package.
Lithuania, like its two Baltic neighbours Latvia and Estonia, is one of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters and, according to its own figures, has provided military aid totalling more than 647 million euros ($719 million) since the start of the war on February 24, 2022.
