During a visit to Kyiv on Thursday 28 September, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for continued support for Ukraine.
“The stronger Ukraine is, the closer we are to ending Russian aggression”, he stressed during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Recalling that €100 billion in military support had been committed to Ukraine by the Allies since the invasion, around half of it by the United States, Mr Stoltenberg said that he was constantly urging the Allies to do even more to speed up deliveries, in particular to ensure air defences, and to work on how to increase production so that they could continue to provide support to Ukraine. “Rest assured that we will produce and deliver ammunition and weapons, because this is a question of solidarity with Ukraine”, he said.
Mr Zelensky confirmed that the Secretary General had undertaken to make a personal effort to mobilise the Allies to deliver anti-aircraft systems. “We must get through this winter together and protect our energy infrastructure and the lives of our fellow citizens”, he explained.
Mr Stoltenberg reiterated that there could be no defence without industry. “We will continue to develop the way in which we can work together to increase our own production in NATO countries, but also to increase production in Ukraine”, he promised. More than 20 countries and NATO will meet this Friday in Kyiv for a conference on the defence industry which, according to the Secretary General, should constitute a new stage in the mobilisation of greater industrial capacity to produce the necessary munitions, weapons and air defences.
Mr Stoltenberg also confirmed that NATO had put in place framework contracts for essential munitions worth €2.4 billion, including €1 billion in firm orders. “These contracts cover capabilities such as 155 mm artillery, anti-tank guided missiles and ammunition for main battle tanks”, he explained. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)