NATO allies pledge billions of euros worth of military and economic assistance for Ukraine

Europe, News January 12, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO Allies pledged to provide billions of euros of military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting following Russian airstrikes against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

NATO members agreed that they would continue to deliver Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance, while several NATO Allies “outlined plans to provide billions of euros of further capabilities in 2024,” the statement read.

The NATO statement highlighted that the Allies have already provided a variety of air defense systems to Ukraine and reaffirmed their commitment to further bolster Ukraine’s defenses.

According to the NATO statement, “Through NATO, Allies are buying up to 1,000 Patriot air defense missiles to replenish their stockpiles as they continue to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. Germany recently delivered Patriot and Skynex air defense systems and additional missiles for IRIS-T air defenses to Ukraine, and the United Kingdom is sending around 200 air defense missiles to Ukraine.”

As Russia shows no signs of seeking peace, NATO Allies’ continued support to Ukraine is crucial to helping them fight for their freedom#StandWithUKraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/xxec07VrbV
— NATO (@NATO) January 10, 2024

NATO-Ukraine Council meeting was held at the ambassadorial level on January 10, 2024, as the participants gathered at Ukraine’s request. The military alliance’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg chaired the Council meeting.

During the meeting, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk and Deputy Interior Minister of Ukraine Oleksii Serhieiev briefed NATO ambassadors through videoconference on the ongoing situation.

NATO Allies denounced the escalation in Russian air strikes on Ukraine, as well as the use of North Korean ballistic missiles and Iranian drones.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said, “NATO strongly condemns Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians, including with weapons from North Korea and Iran. For the second year in a row, Putin is trying to wear down Ukraine with mass strikes, but he will not succeed.”

*^{NATO and Ukraine flags. (Image Credit: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine)}*

Stoltenberg further added that “Russia’s campaign of cruelty only strengthens Ukraine’s resolve. As Moscow intensifies its strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilians, NATO Allies are boosting Ukraine’s air defenses. We will continue to stand by the brave Ukrainians as they push back against Russia’s war of aggression.”

The NATO-Ukraine Council was set up during the NATO annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. The council focuses on building cooperation and coordination between the Western military alliance and the Ukrainian administration to advance political dialogue, engagement, cooperation, and Ukraine’s aspirations for membership in NATO.

Last week, Germany announced that it would provide its fastest air defense system, Skynex, to Ukraine. Skynex would provide an ideal cost-effective solution to counter Russia’s drone attack.

The deliveries come in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s appeals to Western allies for increased support in the face of escalating aerial assaults by Russia throughout Ukraine. Germany has also provided two TRML-4D air surveillance radars, 30 drone detection systems, and supplementary artillery and munitions to Kyiv.