The European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) promised on Tuesday to provide the Ukrainians with all the military means necessary to defend their homeland. Discussions are scheduled “next week” on the types of weapons that can be provided, the leaders of the two organizations announced.
“Discussions are planned next week with the Ukrainians to see what kind of weapons are needed and who among the allies is able to provide them,” Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after the meeting. signature of a joint declaration with the presidents of the EU institutions.
These discussions will take place within the framework of the Ramstein group (the contact group on the defense of Ukraine) created by the United States, he specified. The meeting, which will be attended by the Ukrainian defense minister, will be organized in Germany, NATO has been told.
“Russia has suffered heavy losses, but it should not be underestimated. It mobilizes more troops and equipment. She is ready to suffer to continue the war. Vladimir Putin has not changed his objective, and we must prepare to support Ukraine in the long term,” insisted Jens Stoltenberg.
“Ukraine must receive all the military equipment it needs and can use to defend its territory,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Europeans were the first to supply military equipment to Ukraine, shortly after the start of the conflict, recalled the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. “Military support must continue to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself,” said the Member States’ representative.
” Higher level “
The Ukrainian government asks the allies for the supply of tanks, in particular the German Leopard 2s.
France, Germany and the United States have announced the shipment of armored vehicles – French AMX-10s, German Marders and American Bradleys – but each model has a different armament and uses different ammunition.
“It’s not just about adding more air defense systems, more weapons, but also making sure that the systems and weapons already provided work as they should, which means we also have to make sure that we provide the necessary ammunition, spare parts and maintenance of the systems that are already provided,” warned Jens Stoltenberg.
“The allies have drawn deep into their stocks, and they must be replenished to be able to protect our territories and continue to provide support to Ukraine,” he pleaded.
In their joint statement, the EU and NATO pledged to take their partnership “to a higher level” and to mobilize “all the combined instruments at our disposal, be they political, economic or military, to pursue our common goals.
Military support must continue to ensure Ukraine can defend itself
Of the EU’s 27 member countries, 21 are also members of NATO, and two others, Finland and Sweden, submitted a joint application to join the Alliance in May, abandoning decades of no – military alignment.
“NATO and the EU play complementary, coherent and mutually reinforcing roles in supporting international peace and security,” the statement said.
For the first time, the Atlantic Alliance recognizes “the value of a stronger and more efficient European defence, which contributes positively to global and transatlantic security and which is complementary with NATO”.
“The EU’s strategic autonomy is more necessary than ever”, insisted Charles Michel, emphasizing the European Union’s desire to be “more independent” in terms of energy and “complementary to NATO for defense and security”.