Also on Thursday, rockets launched by Russia destroyed Ukrainian cities. How to help Ukraine protect the skies was one of the main points of discussion during the NATO defense ministers meeting.
And the deal is clear: NATO countries will gather forces and help Ukraine with missile defense systems.
“There is a very important message expressed by NATO allies and partners and also by the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group: We will support Ukraine as long as necessary.
We will increase our support and, in particular, we will provide Ukraine with more air defense systems “, underlined NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
“What Ukraine requires and what we can provide is an integrated air defense system. It does not control all of the airspace above Ukraine, but is designed to monitor the priority objectives that Ukraine must protect,” explains the general. Mark Milley, chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“And what we’re looking at are short-range, low-range, medium-range, medium-range, and then long-range and high-altitude systems. And a combination of all those that deny the use of airspace to Russian aircraft and missiles “.
US General Milley pointed out that there may be several practical challenges, because providing the systems is one thing, but countries will have to actively cooperate to train Ukrainians to use these different systems, some of which are newer, some of which are older. , but the important thing is to do it in a coordinated way.
Germany has already sent the “IRIS-T” anti-missile defense system to Ukraine and promises that Ukraine will receive several such systems again next year. France and Great Britain have also announced immediate support from them in Brussels.
NATO countries also agreed that it is necessary to significantly strengthen the military industry and actively cooperate to ensure the supply of military equipment, as well as the timely production of ammunition and increase their stocks, as both Ukraine and the NATO members themselves need it.
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