On Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia’s escalation of air strikes on Ukraine and emphasised the importance of supplying Ukraine with the equipment and munitions needed to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Sharing a post on X, Stoltenberg said, “The NATO-Ukraine Council met to address developments on the battlefield and Ukraine’s priority capability needs. Allies strongly condemn the escalation in Russian air strikes on Ukraine. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself.”
Significantly, the NATO-Ukraine Council convened on Wednesday in response to recent intense Russian airstrikes targeting Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. The allies strongly condemned Russia’s indiscriminate attacks and reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defences. Stoltenberg, who led the meeting, emphasised Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to intercept Russian missiles and underlined the necessity of ramping up the supply of weapons and ammunition to the country.
“Ukraine continues to intercept Russian missiles on a daily basis, saving countless lives. But Ukraine’s ability to maintain their defences requires increased supply and more support. In the wake of the latest Russian assault, allies today reaffirmed they are stepping up their military aid to Ukraine. We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. This is vital for Ukraine’s ability to stay in the fight,” Stoltenberg said.
Wednesday’s meeting, held at the ambassadorial level, was organised at Ukraine’s request. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov provided a video briefing to the allies on the current security situation and key capability requirements. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored that Ukraine’s primary focuses in the ongoing conflict with Russia are enhancing its air defence systems and protecting essential infrastructure.
Sharing a post on his X handle, Zelenskyy said, “Today, the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting was held. Our Minister of Defense briefed our partners on Ukraine’s most urgent needs–particularly air defence and the protection of critical infrastructure. The liquidation of the aftermath of the Russian ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih continues all day.”
Throughout more than two-and-a-half years of conflict, Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, aiming to cast its citizens into darkness and weaponise the freezing winter temperatures.