The 31 foreign ministers of the Allied countries discussed their support for Ukraine on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 April.
“The people of Ukraine continue to defend their country with skill and bravery. And we will continue to support them for as long as it takes”, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, adding that the meeting underlined NATO’s enduring commitment to Ukraine.
“It has been clear for a long time that this war has become a war of attrition, that is, a logistical battle, which means that there is a constant need for more ammunition, more supplies and more means for the various capabilities that Ukraine has”, the Secretary General said.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the Allies have provided nearly €65 billion in military aid, “are delivering on their pledges of training and new heavy weaponry” and are stepping up production of weapons and ammunition, Mr Stoltenberg said. He stressed the production aspect, recalling that until now most of the ammunition delivered to Ukraine had come from the Allies’ own stockpile reduction, “which, in the long run, does not work”.
In addition, “as agreed at the Madrid Summit, we have also stepped up urgent non-lethal support through NATO’s Ukraine fund”, Mr Stoltenberg said, explaining that this included fuel, medical supplies, mobile satellite systems and pontoons.
At the Ministerial Council, the US announced a further $500 million in aid, including more ammunition for HIMARS rocket launchers, air defence interceptors and artillery shells, anti-armour systems, small arms, heavy equipment transport vehicles and maintenance support.
The Secretary General said he expected further announcements from the Allies in the coming days.
Long-term commitment
The Allies will also strengthen their long-term commitment to Ukraine. Ministers agreed to start work on a multi-year strategic assistance programme for Ukraine.
The aim is to “help ensure Ukraine’s deterrence and defence, make the transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, and increase interoperability with NATO”, Mr Stoltenberg said. In his view, this rapprochement has begun, but more needs to be done and implemented more quickly.
The Secretary General encouraged Ukraine to continue its reform efforts, saying that the Allies had discussed the importance of anti-corruption measures, the rule of law and minority rights.
Mr Stoltenberg also announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been invited to the NATO Vilnius Summit in July. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)