Head of Pentagon and NATO Secretary-General discussed production of weapons for Ukraine
The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed assistance to Ukraine, particularly emphasizing the critical need for a rapid increase in defense production, according to the Pentagon.
Austin and Stoltenberg, during their meeting at the Pentagon, emphasized the importance of preserving the unity of the North Atlantic Alliance in supporting Ukraine. They highlighted the critical need for a rapid increase in defense production to further aid Kyiv in replenishing stocks of ammunition and equipment.
NATO Secretary-General and the head of the Pentagon also discussed strengthening reliable capabilities of deterrence and defense within the Alliance and reviewed the progress in implementing decisions made at the Vilnius Summit in 2023.
They also exchanged thoughts on the security situation in the Middle East, expressing outrage and sorrow over the loss of life and injuries to American military personnel in Jordan.
Ukraine's relationship with NATO
Ukraine has received recommendations for accession from NATO. This occurred following the Ukraine-NATO Council, the meeting of which took place in Brussels on November 29.
Jens Stoltenberg recently stated that NATO and EU allies need to intensify efforts ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and provide more assistance to Kyiv.
On January 30, during a joint press conference with Stoltenberg, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. "The doors remain open," he added.