NATO allies have agreed to help Ukraine strengthen its air defense. Announcements of supplies may be made in the near future, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated during a press conference following the NATO-Ukraine Council.
Strengthening air defense
According to the Secretary General, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the meeting of the Council, informed the allies about the situation on the battlefield and the need to strengthen Ukrainian air defense.
"NATO Defense Ministers have agreed to step up and provide further military support, including more air defense. NATO has mapped out existing capabilities across the Alliance and there are systems that can be made available to Ukraine. So I expect new announcements on air defense capabilities for Ukraine soon," said Stoltenberg.
He welcomed Germany's decision to provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defense system. According to the Secretary General, in addition to the Patriot, the allies may also transfer the SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile system.
"Many Allies who do not have available systems have pledged to provide financial support to purchase them for Ukraine. We are also working with industry to ramp up production and to refurbish systems to make them operational and fit for purpose," the Secretary General noted.
Not just air defense discussed
Defense ministers also discussed other needs of Ukraine, including 155-millimeter shells, long-range strike capabilities, and drones.
"Each NATO Ally will decide what to provide. Several Allies made concrete commitments during the meeting and are finalizing contributions that I expect will be announced soon," Stoltenberg added.
NATO-Ukraine Council
After the Russian army intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv was convening a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. The head of state clarified that they would discuss air defense systems for the Ukrainian army.
Later, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the meeting would take place on April 19. The meeting was held at the level of NATO defense ministers, and Zelenskyy also participated
