Stoltenberg: NATO countries didn't fulfill promises on arming Ukraine, but change is imminent
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
NATO countries have not fulfilled their promises to supply military aid to Ukraine. However, the flow of ammunition will increase in the near future, stated NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During his speech, Stoltenberg noted that some NATO countries have not fulfilled their promises of military assistance in recent months. However, he said that now the flow of weapons and ammunition to the frontline in Ukraine will increase.
“I will also be very honest with President Zelenskyy and also with the Rada (Parliament) that NATO allies have not delivered what we have promised over the last months. The United States spent six months to agree a package and European allies have not delivered the ammunition we promised. But now I’m confident that things will change,” Stoltenberg said.
According to Secretary General, the faster provision of arms to Ukraine was influenced by the fact that the United States finally approved a package of assistance worth over $60 billion. He mentioned a statement by the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who also announced assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, Germany announced that it would transfer another Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, and the Netherlands increased their aid to Kyiv.
Stoltenberg stated that he also expects other new commitments to be made. He anticipates that these commitments will significantly impact the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine.
"It's not too late for Ukraine to prevail. But that’s why it's so urgent that NATO allies now actually do what we had promised and that we turn those commitments into real deliveries of weapons and ammunition and I’m now confident that will now happen," Stoltenberg added.
Assistance to Ukraine
Since the beginning of spring, Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory. Additionally, Russian forces have made gains on the front lines, including the occupation of Avdiivka.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian forces were also successful because Ukraine faced a shortage of air defense and other weapons.
The shortage of weaponry is also attributed to the fact that the United States had been unable to approve a bill for aid to Ukraine since late 2023. This was achieved last week when it was signed by US President Joe Biden.
