NATO Allies reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine - Stoltenberg

NATO Allies underscored their enduring commitment to Ukraine at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission and made a number of statements on the provision of new support for the country.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, April 4, following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission.

"We addressed Russia's brutal war of aggression, our support for Ukraine, and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. 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," Stoltenberg said.

He noted that NATO Allies had already delivered about EUR 150 billion of support to Ukraine, including EUR 65 billion of military aid.

Stoltenberg said that Russian President Putin "has not changed course in Ukraine" and therefore the Allies should continue and strengthen their support for the Ukrainian people.

"Our meeting today underscored NATO's enduring commitment to Ukraine. Allies are ramping up the production of weapons and ammunition and delivering on their pledges of training and new heavy weaponry. The first Leopard and Challenger tanks are in Ukraine together with tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from several other Allies," Stoltenberg said.

He also noted that the Allies had stepped up urgent non-lethal support through NATO's Ukraine fund, which includes fuel, medical supplies, mobile satellite systems and pontoon bridges. In this regard, he thanked Allies that have made substantial contributions, "such as Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK, and partners such as Australia and Japan."

"I welcome that ministers have made more announcements today, and I expect more in the coming days and months," Stoltenberg added.

He also said that Allies would develop a multi-year support initiative for Ukraine to help ensure Ukraine's deterrence and defense, make the transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, and increase interoperability with NATO.