London puts together weapons package
Stoltenberg: Weapons for Kiev help NATO
October 11, 2023, 11:49 a.m
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Due to the Israel war, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is somewhat out of focus. But the war is still raging. Before winter, President Zelensky is pushing for new arms deliveries. According to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, they are important for the military alliance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called for more military support for his country on his first visit to NATO since the start of the Russian war of aggression. Specifically, he asked for air defense systems, long-range missiles and ammunition in Brussels before a meeting with the alliance’s defense ministers. For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg assured Ukraine of continued support – “because this is really important for the entire NATO.”
“How we get through the next winter is very important for us,” said Zelenskyj at a joint press appearance with Stoltenberg. “We’re preparing for it, we’re ready. Now we need some support, that’s why I’m here today.” It is the first visit by the Ukrainian president to the headquarters of the military alliance since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022.
Meanwhile, Kiev’s most important ally, Great Britain, announced another package worth 100 million pounds (around 116 million euros). This was announced by the British Ministry of Defense. The equipment provided is intended to help the Ukrainian army clear minefields, maintain its vehicles, strengthen its defenses and protect important national infrastructure. The package is being financed with funds from the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), into which Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania also contributed.
Kiev receives almost 800 million pounds from London
A total of 785 million pounds have been raised since last year, the statement said. A final contract for the supply of air defense capabilities as part of an earlier IFU package was also recently signed, it said. This also includes an MSI-DS Terrahawk Paladin platform, which is capable of locating and destroying drones.
At the start of the two-day meeting of defense ministers, politicians and military representatives from around 50 countries will come together. The discussions in the so-called Ramstein format are led by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The NATO-Ukraine Council will then meet for the first time at defense minister level. The committee was founded in July at the alliance summit in Lithuania to enable closer coordination between the 31 NATO countries and Kiev.
On Tuesday, Germany announced a significant increase in military aid for Kiev. The air defense package, which includes the second Patriot air defense system promised last week, is worth around one billion euros, said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.