NATO has called on allied nations to provide military aid to the Ukrainian troops for the upcoming winter.
The announcement was made at a meeting between NATO officials and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on September 8.
The items NATO leaders have requested are winter equipment to protect and support Ukrainian soldiers during the harsh season.
“The winter is coming, it’s going to be hard and therefore we need both to continue to supply weapons and ammunition but also winter clothing, tents, generators, and other specific equipment which is needed for the winter,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
“Because the size of the Ukrainian Army has just increased so much they need more of these kinds of winter equipment,” he added.
The allies are in close contact with the defense industry to expedite production, replenish stocks, and continue delivering military assistance to Ukraine.
“The weapons, the munitions that we are providing to Ukraine, are used to stop the aggressive actions of Russia against an independent sovereign nation in Europe, which is a close partner of NATO,” the secretary general explained.
“So the use of these stocks actually helps to increase our own security and reduce the risk of any aggressive actions by Russia against the Nato allied countries,” he added.
Long-Term Military Aid From US
Blinken announced a new $2.8 billion US pledge to Ukraine during an unannounced visit with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv earlier this month.
It includes $675 million in weapon systems, ammunition, and supplies soon to be shipped.
The aid also includes $1 billion in long-term loans and grants for Ukraine to procure additional equipment from the US.
“We will work together to train Ukraine’s forces for the long haul. We will work together to help integrate Ukraine’s capabilities and bolster its joint operations,” US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said during the Fifth Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
“We’ll work together to upgrade our defense industrial bases to meet Ukraine’s requirements. And we’ll work together for production and innovation to meet Ukraine’s self-defense needs for the long haul.”
