NATO Secretary General pledges support to Ukraine
(Photo: AP)
Brussels Ukraine expects significantly more deaths in the next phase of the war. The upcoming battle for Donbass will be reminiscent of the Second World War, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba after a NATO meeting he attended. The foreign ministers of the NATO countries assured him further support, including with categories of weapons that have not yet been delivered.
Kuleba said he was expecting battles between large tank formations that would go well beyond what had happened so far. Many people would die or lose their homes. To prevent this, the aid now announced would come too late. While he is cautiously optimistic that Ukraine will receive better support after this meeting, it is also crucial how quickly the new weapons arrive in Ukraine.
Met with Secretary General @jensstoltenberg at NATO HQ in Brussels. I came here today to discuss three most important things: weapons, weapons, and weapons. Ukraine’s urgent needs, the sustainability of supplies, and long-term solutions which will help Ukraine to prevail. pic.twitter.com/247GdqdPwj
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 7, 2022
Russia has withdrawn its troops in northern Ukraine. Ukraine expects and is preparing for these troops to attack in the east soon. Asked what kind of weapons Ukraine needs, Kuleba named “anti-ship missiles, armed vehicles and anti-aircraft systems”.
The war could last for months
Some Western countries have already increased their support. According to reports, tanks from the Czech Republic are on their way to Ukraine. The delivery of such heavy weapons was previously considered taboo. The US has announced that it is training Ukrainian soldiers in the use of switchblade drones.
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“The Allies are determined to do more,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He did not name any specific weapon systems, but protective equipment against biological and chemical “threats”. Be prepared for a war that could last months or years, he said.
Kuleba put pressure on them to help quickly. The war crimes apparently committed by Russian soldiers or mercenaries in Bucha are just the tip of the iceberg. Reports from besieged Mariopol indicated that the situation there “is much, much worse, in every way”. The deal with the West is fair: “You give us weapons and we will risk our lives and ensure that the war is limited to Ukraine.”
The democratic world must stop buying Russian oil and gas, Zelenskiy said in a video speech.
(Photo: dpa)
Any weapon used by the Ukrainian army against the Russian army on Ukrainian territory will be used defensively, Kuleba said. Therefore, the distinction between offensive and defensive weapons is not justified.
The terms often mean the difference between light weapons such as rifles or anti-tank missiles carried on the shoulders on the one hand and heavy equipment such as tanks or drones on the other.
Other recent reports on the war:
Since the withdrawal of the Russian army from the northern areas of the country, Kyiv sees an opportunity to recapture more areas. To do this, it needs its own tanks, which in turn must be protected from air attacks.
The government in Kyiv fears a large-scale offensive in Donbass in the east of the country.
(Photo: IMAGO/ITAR-TASS)
NATO also wants to react to Russia’s war of aggression with a new strategic concept. The core of this concept should be how the alliance will behave towards Russia in the future, said Stoltenberg. And for the first time, the question of how China’s growing influence is endangering the security of NATO countries should be considered. The new strategy should be in place by June.
More: Finland’s Foreign Minister: “We must now support Ukraine with all the weapons it needs”