Meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels: NATO wants to deliver more weapons

NATO members have agreed to provide Ukraine with a wide range of weapon systems. This was announced by Secretary General Stoltenberg. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba is pushing for speed.

NATO countries have agreed on additional military aid for Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. “We agreed that we must continue to strengthen and maintain our support for Ukraine so that Ukraine can prevail,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. The country must be able to resist Russian aggression, Stoltenberg said. He announced that a wide range of weapons systems would be delivered to Ukraine. “We must help the brave Ukrainians to defend their homeland and their country.”

Provision of different weapon systems

Stoltenberg did not say which additional weapons are to be delivered to Ukraine. He fully understands that there are specific questions about specific types of weapons, he said. However, the Allies thought it better not to comment specifically on the nature of the systems. “But rest assured that the allies are providing a variety of different weapon systems,” he said. These include systems from the Soviet era as well as modern equipment.

In addition, NATO members agreed to do more to help other partners and strengthen their self-defense capabilities, including Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ukraine: Timing of arms delivery is crucial

Regarding Ukraine’s demands for the arms deliveries to come quickly, Stoltenberg said the NATO countries were aware of the urgency. It was a clear signal from the meeting that there was a willingness to do more in providing equipment.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he had no doubts that Ukraine would have all the weapons necessary for the fight. “The only question is the schedule,” said Kuleba in Brussels. Weapons lists are not being discussed, but rather when Ukraine will get the weapons. “And that is crucial.”

“I’m talking about days”

In view of the expected Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, Kuleba urged speed. “Either you help us now, and I’m talking in days not weeks, or your help will come too late.” Then many people would have to die or be expelled.

The atrocities in Bucha near Kyiv are just “the tip of the iceberg,” he said. Unilaterally relying on sanctions against Russia is the wrong approach, the Ukrainian foreign minister continued, referring to the new punitive measures by the EU and its partners: “Sanctions are not enough to stop the Russian war machine.”

Kuleba cited the expected Russian offensive in the Donbass as the reason for the rush to deliver arms. The fight is already underway, but has not yet reached its maximum extent. “The Battle of Donbass will remind you of World War II.” There will be major operations, maneuvers involving thousands of tanks, aircraft and artillery, Kuleba said. The outcome of this battle will be decided on the battlefield.