KYIV, Sept 28 (Portal) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday during an unannounced visit to Kiev that Ukrainian forces are “gradually gaining ground” in their counteroffensive against Russian forces.
At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Stoltenberg said: “Every meter that the Ukrainian armed forces regain is a meter that Russia loses.”
“And there is a stark contrast: Ukrainians are fighting for their families, their future, their freedom,” he added. “Moscow is fighting for imperial delusions.”
Zelenskiy stressed the need for Ukraine’s stronger air defense against Russian attacks, saying Moscow had used more than 40 Shahed drones in attacks on Ukraine the night before alone.
“And it’s like that almost every night. “Faced with such intense attacks against Ukrainians, against our cities and ports – which are important for global food security – we need a corresponding increase in pressure on Russia and a corresponding increase in our air shield,” he said.
[1/4]Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues in Kiev, Ukraine, September 28, 2023. Portal/Gleb Garanich acquires license rights
Stoltenberg said he was “continually urging” NATO allies to provide greater support to Ukraine and speed up the delivery, “not least” of air defense systems.
Stoltenberg announced that NATO now has comprehensive framework contracts with defense companies worth 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) for ammunition, including 1 billion euros in firm orders.
He said such contracts would allow NATO members to replenish their depleted supplies while continuing to supply Ukraine with ammunition, a key factor in the war.
Stoltenberg also condemned Russian attacks near Ukraine’s border with NATO member Romania. He said there was no evidence such attacks constituted a deliberate attack on Romania, but called them “reckless” and “destabilizing.”
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Reporting by Yuliia Dyss and Andrew Gray; Writing by Andrew Gray; Edited by Bart Meijer, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Alex Richardson and Alison Williams
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