Ukrainian forces are ‘gradually gaining ground,’ NATO chief says. On an unannounced visit to Kyiv, NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces were “gradually gaining ground” in their counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Stoltenberg told a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that “every meter that Ukrainian forces regain is a meter that Russia loses.”
“And there is a stark contrast: Ukrainians fight for their families, future, freedom,” he said. “Moscow defends imperial delusions.”
Zelenskiy said Moscow had used around 40 Shahed drones to attack Ukraine the night before, emphasizing the necessity for additional air defense.
This happens almost every night. We need to boost pressure on Russia and our air shield in the face of heavy attacks on Ukrainians, our towns, and ports, which are vital to world food security, “they said.
Stoltenberg said he was “constantly pushing” NATO countries to help Ukraine and speed up air defense system delivery, “not least.”
Stoltenberg said NATO has an overall framework contract with armaments firms worth 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) for ammunition, including 1 billion euros in solid orders.
He said such contracts would allow NATO nations to refill their stocks and continue to provide Ukraine with weaponry, a major war component.
Stoltenberg denounced Russian strikes near Ukraine’s NATO border with Romania. He called the strikes “reckless” and “destabilising” despite little indication they were intentional attacks on Romania.
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