NATO Pledges Continued Support for Ukraine; Today Will Be a Crucial Day
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed an increase in the production of weapons and air defense systems for Ukraine as part of a new $2.2 billion military support initiative led by the United States.
Speaking ahead of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Rutte stated that members of this U.S.-led military alliance will boost defense industry output ”to ensure Ukraine remains as strong as possible and capable of sustaining its war effort against Russia.”
He also noted that members will address recent drone incidents alongside efforts to strengthen NATO’s air defenses, adding, “Today will be an important day.”
Rutte highlighted that discussions today include a NATO-Ukraine Council session wiht Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and Ukraine’s Defense Contact Group chaired by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
Referring to the U.S.-led program launched in August, Rutte said NATO allies have so far pledged $2.2 billion worth of lethal and non-lethal military aid to Kyiv.
He added that the European Union and NATO are working closely together, calling their cooperation essential while noting Russia has failed to divide them.
Regarding Russian violations of some NATO members’ airspace, Rutte emphasized that NATO remains fully capable of defending its members’ territories.
“If a Russian aircraft enters NATO airspace threateningly,we will act.Or else, we escort it out,” he said. “A strong alliance knows when to respond decisively and when to de-escalate tensions. We have been doing this for 60 or 70 years-frist with the Soviet Union, now with Russia.”
Dismissing claims about reduced military assistance from member states, he said levels remain steady compared to last year.
The NATO Secretary General asserted: “The Russians expected victory within three weeks in this war. Now nearly four years later, they have lost one million soldiers killed or seriously wounded-and onyl made minimal territorial gains.”
