Ukraine Scores Massive Weapons Boost From NATO Nation
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius drives with soldiers a Leopard 2 main battle tank during a visit to the Bundeswehr’s Panzerbataillon 203 tank squadron on February 1, 2023 in Augustdorf, Germany. Ukraine has scored a massive weapons boost from NATO member Germany as part of a fresh tranche of military aid unveiled on Monday.
Ukraine has scored a massive weapons boost from NATO member Germany as part of a fresh tranche of military aid unveiled on Monday.
“Great news from our German friends! Thank you for your steadfast support!” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on social media, announcing that Kyiv’s military will receive more armored personnel carriers, anti-aircraft defenses, and ammunition for its ongoing fight against Russia.
Russian forces have advanced in parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in recent months as Ukraine suffers shortages of ammunition and equipment. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been appealing to his Western allies to provide additional support, saying that his troops are being hindered by low supplies of shells.
As part of its latest military aid package, Germany has provided another 10 “Marder” armored personnel carriers, a second Skynex anti-aircraft system, nearly 30,000 rounds of ammunition for the “Gepard” anti-aircraft gun, ammunition for the Leopard 2 tank, missiles for the Iris-T system, and other supplies.
The development comes days after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Ukraine’s allies in Europe must continue to provide assistance following a recent $61-billion aid package approved by Washington after months of talks.
Scholz on April 24 described the U.S. military aid package as “an encouraging and necessary signal.”
“But I also want to say clearly that the United States’ decision doesn’t release us here in Europe from the task of further expanding our support for Ukraine so that the country can defend itself against the aggressor,” he said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday told reporters during a press conference with Zelensky that it was “not too late” for Ukraine to win the ongoing war.
“Ukraine has been outgunned for months—forced to ration its ammunition. This means that fewer Russian missiles and drones have been shot down. And Russia has been able to push forward along the front line,” he said.
“But it is not too late for Ukraine to prevail. More support is on the way.”
NATO is “working hard to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs,” said Stoltenberg.
“And I have been clear that if allies face a choice between meeting NATO capability targets or support to Ukraine, they should support Ukraine, and put plans in place to refill their stockpiles,” he added. “Stocks can and will be replenished. Lives lost can never be regained.”
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