Ukraine-NATO Council condemns Russian strikes, reaffirms support for Kyiv
The Ukraine-NATO Council held a meeting due to the massive strikes from the Russian Federation (Photo: nato.int)
The Ukraine-NATO Council held a meeting today at the ambassadorial level to discuss the massive Russian strikes on Ukraine using Iranian drones and North Korean missiles. NATO countries pledged to continue assisting Kyiv, reports the NATO press service.
The Ukraine-NATO Council held a meeting today with the participation of, among others, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Oleksii Serhiiev. At the meeting, NATO countries strongly condemned the escalation of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine using Iranian and North Korean weaponry.
"NATO strongly condemns Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including with weapons from North Korea and Iran. For a second year in a row, Putin is trying to wear down Ukraine with mass strikes, but he will not succeed. Russia’s campaign of cruelty only strengthens Ukraine’s resolve. As Moscow intensifies its strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilians, NATO Allies are boosting Ukraine’s air defenses," quoted the press service of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's statement.
NATO also has reiterated that member states have already provided Ukraine with a wide array of air defense systems. For instance, Germany recently supplied Ukraine with Patriot and Skynex air defense systems and additional missiles for IRIS-T, while Britain pledged to send around 200 missiles for air defense.
"Today, Allies made clear that they will continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance, and many Allies outlined plans to provide billions of euros of further capabilities in 2024. ," added the Alliance's press service.
The Ukraine-NATO Council meeting due to Russia's attacks
On December 29, Russian terrorists heavily shelled Ukraine, firing around 160 missiles of various types besides Kalibr. Ukrainian air defense forces then intercepted 114 enemy targets.
A few days later, on January 2, Russian occupiers launched 35 kamikaze drones and 99 missiles of various types, including hypersonic Kinzhals. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, reported that air defense forces intercepted 72 missiles, including all Kinzhals.
Subsequently, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, initiated the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting to discuss the Russian strikes. The Ukrainian side hoped for swift commitments from NATO countries to support Ukrainian air defense forces.
