NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels for Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting

Europe, News, US October 13, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO defense minister met in Brussels to discuss measures to increase support for Ukraine and strengthen Allied defenses as Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hosted the defense ministerial meeting at the Alliance’s headquarters.

The two-day long meeting is taking place on October 12 and 13, 2022, that includes the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting chaired by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin.

The two-day defense ministerial meeting is focused on the Russia-Ukraine war and the officials are discussing ways to enhance support for Ukraine. Previewing the meeting one day before its commencement, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO will stand with Ukraine “for as long as it takes.”

The NATO secretary general added that “NATO is not party to the conflict, but our support is playing a key role” in helping Ukraine defend itself in the face of Russia’s “horrific and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.”

Stoltenberg highlighted that “NATO is a defensive Alliance. NATO is there to prevent a conflict, to prevent a war. And therefore, we have strengthened our deterrence to send a very clear message to Russia that we are there to protect and defend all Allies.”

The meeting in Brussels comes only two days after Russia fired missiles on many of Ukraine’s major cities. The recent attacks killed more than a dozen people and injured hundreds. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin accused Russia of putting “targets with no military purpose in the crosshairs.”

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said that Russia’s mobilization, annexation attempts, indiscriminate missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, and nuclear threats represent the most serious escalation of the war since the invasion in February.”

*^{NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaking during a press conference ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers at NATO headquarters on October 12, 13, 2022. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

The first day of the ministerial summit was dedicated to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. The idea of a contact group was initiated by the U.S. Secretary of Defense back in April 2022 and the first meeting for the contact group was called at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The contact group consists of 50 countries, including all 30 NATO member states.

During the contact group meeting, Secretary Austin said that “the members of this group have committed billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, along with humanitarian and financial assistance.”

Austin further added that “two weeks ago, the United States announced a $1.1 billion security assistance package under our Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. That included 18 additional HIMARS and their rocket munitions, as well as hundreds of vehicles, dozens of radars, and many counter-unmanned-aircraft systems, and much more.”

*^{HIMARS missile system in Poland. (Image Credit: U.S. Army/Markus Rauchenberger)}*

Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov also arrived in Brussels to take part in both meetings. Upon being asked what he hopes to achieve from the meetings, Ukraine’s defense minister replied “Air defense systems.”

Ukraine has been asking for more weapons and especially air defense systems from its partners and allies, particularly after the recent wave of Russian attacks.

NATO’s ministerial meeting would commence on October 13. The defense ministers would discuss NATO’s nuclear capabilities as the allies prepare for annual nuclear training exercises. NATO ministers are also expected to discuss increasing munitions stockpiles and other equipment to deter further Russian aggression.

According to the NATO statement, the defense officials will also discuss NATO’s mission and operations from Kosovo to Iraq, and Secretary General Stoltenberg will chair a meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group.