During a meeting of Ukraine’s supporters in the conflict between it and Russia, the Secretary General of NATO took stock of the aid delivered by the allies to Kiev. He then said he was “confident” in a possible regain of ground against the Russians.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday he was “confident” that Ukraine, in the process of preparing a counter-offensive, could regain ground against the Russians.
“I am confident that they (the Ukrainians) will now be able to free up even more ground,” Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Ukraine supporters at the US base. Ramstein (Germany).
Aid co-ordination
“One of the main issues discussed here today was going over the different capabilities, systems and supplies that the Ukrainians need to regain more ground,” Jens Stoltenberg added.
About fifty representatives of countries supporting Ukraine are gathered on the base to coordinate aid to kyiv.
On a visit to Kiev on Thursday, the head of NATO spoke there with President Zelensky, who constantly calls on Westerners to deliver more armored vehicles, artillery, ammunition but also planes. combat and long-range firing systems to hit Russian warehouses, far behind the front line.
“Together, we will ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs to live in freedom,” said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Ramstein, where some 50 countries are represented.
Prudence relative
Between insufficient stocks, fear of escalation and logistical problems, Europeans and Americans have however shown themselves to be more cautious than kyiv would have liked. The delivery of fighter planes to Ukraine in particular divides kyiv’s support, with Germany seeming particularly reluctant.
The Alliance is focused on the supply of ammunition and spare parts so that the systems already deployed in Ukraine “produce the desired effect”, Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
“It is now a battle of attrition and a battle of attrition becomes a war of logistics,” he explained.
Westerners have provided more than $150 billion in aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, including $65 billion in the military field, according to the German Defense Minister.
