The defense ministers of the 31 NATO countries met in Brussels on Wednesday for a two-day meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also made a surprise appearance at the meeting. “Next winter is one of the biggest challenges for us. We are preparing, we need support,” he explained in Brussels. At his side, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized NATO’s strong support.
“Your fight is our fight. Your safety is our safety. NATO will support Ukraine for as long as necessary,” Stoltenberg said. NATO defense ministers would coordinate military support to Ukraine and hold discussions to support Ukraine’s path to NATO membership. Zelensky emphasized the importance of the meeting: “With fifty defense ministers we talk about our priorities; how we drive Russia out of our homeland. We will end the war.”
According to his own statements, Zelensky will first participate in the deliberations of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group. The arms deliveries to the country attacked by Russia are coordinated through them. NATO is officially excluded because it also includes non-aligned states. This will be followed by the NATO-Ukraine Council.
Zelensky also meets the Belgian head of government
Zelenskyj then wants to meet Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Belgium wants to supply several F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from 2025. This was announced by Minister of Defense Ludivine Dedonder. According to the Ukrainian president, no further appointments are currently planned. However, Zelenskyj agreed to meet with EU Council President Charles Michel.
The attack on Israel is also discussed
Zelensky also addressed the situation in Israel, which will be the subject of Thursday’s NATO meeting. There are also plans for a video link with Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant. “We are at war, we know what terrorist attacks mean,” Zelenskyi said. He advises world leaders to go to Israel and support the people. “Unity is more important than being alone. You cannot give the aggressors opportunities.”
Ukraine Contact Group Deliberations
Shortly before the start of the NATO meeting, the US is organizing consultations of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group this Wednesday morning. The arms deliveries to the country attacked by Russia are coordinated through them. NATO is officially excluded because non-aligned states are also part of the contact group.
In addition to Zelensky, the new Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov will also be a guest in Brussels. He will also take part in the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at Defense Ministers level later this afternoon.
Source: Krone
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