Stoltenberg’s visit to Ukraine coincided with a critical phase in the ongoing conflict, and his remarks underscored NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. He also offered a scathing critique of Russia’s military actions, characterizing them as a pursuit of Moscow’s “imperial delusions.”
One of the key announcements made by Stoltenberg during the press conference was the revelation that NATO had established overarching framework contracts with arms companies, totalling 2.4 billion euros (approximately $2.53 billion). These contracts encompass vital ammunition supplies, including firm orders amounting to 1 billion euros. These agreements are expected to enable NATO member states to replenish their depleted ammunition stockpiles while simultaneously facilitating the continued provision of essential ammunition to Ukraine—a critical element in the ongoing conflict.
Additionally, Stoltenberg took the opportunity to condemn recent Russian airstrikes in the vicinity of Ukraine’s border with NATO member state Romania. While he emphasized that there was no conclusive evidence suggesting that these strikes constituted a deliberate attack on Romania, he nonetheless characterized them as “reckless” and “destabilizing.”
The situation in Ukraine remains a focal point of international concern, with NATO actively engaging in efforts to address the evolving dynamics of the conflict and to provide critical support to Ukraine’s defence forces.
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