2023-09-28 15:51:00
NATO chief says Ukrainian forces ‘gradually gaining ground’ in counteroffensive
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Kyiv’s troops are “gradually gaining ground” in their broad counteroffensive once morest Russian defense lines in southeastern Ukraine.
“Today your strength [ucranianas] “They are advancing, they are facing fierce fighting, but they are gradually gaining ground,” Stoltenberg said alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an unannounced visit to Kyiv.
“Every meter that Ukrainian forces gain is a meter that Russia loses,” he said.
“Ukrainians fight for their families, their future, their freedom,” Stoltenberg said, adding that “Moscow fights for imperial delusions.”
“Ukraine has the strong support of 31 NATO allies and many partners,” he continued. “In total, more than 50 nations support and supply them through that Ukrainian defense contact group and more than 140 nations defended their sovereignty at the United Nations,” she said.
“Meanwhile, Russia is diminished on the world stage, isolated from international markets,” he asserted.
The transatlantic military alliance has donated billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine, but has so far not granted the country membership in the alliance, despite repeated requests from Kyiv.
Stoltenberg said NATO has framework contracts in place worth 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) in “key ammunition” for Ukraine, including 1 billion euros ($1.54 billion) of firm orders.
“This covers capabilities such as 155-millimeter artillery and guided missiles for tanks and ammunition for main battle tanks,” he said.
“This will help allies replenish their stocks while continuing to support Ukraine. The stronger Ukraine becomes the closer we will be to ending Russia’s aggression, Russia might lay down its arms and end its war today,” he added. Stoltenberg.
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