14:21 10.01.2023

EU, NATO leaders support providing Ukraine with modern weapons needed to defend against Russia

2 min read
EU, NATO leaders support providing Ukraine with modern weapons needed to defend against Russia

 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg support providing Ukraine with modern weapons systems so that Ukrainians are able to defend their homeland.

They outlined this position on Tuesday in Brussels at a press conference, answering a question about possible deliveries of offensive weapons, in particular, German Leopard-2 tanks.

Ursula von der Leyen said that she had stated many times since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – Ukraine must receive all the necessary military equipment that it needs so that it is able to defend its homeland. This means, delivering, of course, advanced air defense systems, and also different advanced military equipment for as long as necessary in order to protect Ukraine, because it also protects the basic principles of the UN Charter and international law.

In turn, the NATO Secretary General recalled that from the very beginning of the war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine, NATO allies and EU members had been providing Ukraine with modern weapons systems. He welcomed new announcements by the United States, Germany and France to provide new types of armored vehicles and other types of weapons to Ukraine. He noted their importance. All these systems make a difference on the battlefield every day, he is convinced.

In addition, Stoltenberg spoke in favor of not only providing new systems, but also ensuring the proper functioning of those already delivered to Ukraine. He applauded the focus on systems, but said that it's not just about adding new systems and platforms, it's about making sure they work, that allies provide the ammunition, spares, training, and maintenance of the systems that Ukraine already has. It is important to be responsive to what new systems Ukraine needs, but also to ensure that the systems that are already there work as they should, he detailed.

AD
AD
AD
AD
AD