Brussels [Belgium], October 12: NATO allies responded on Wednesday to a plea by Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelensky for more support ahead of winter, as he put in a surprise appearance at talks in Brussels on the international response to the conflict.
Zelensky wanted to discuss his country's priorities in Brussels, with Ukraine in need of more weapons, such as long-range missiles, positioned "in very concrete geographic points on our land" to make it through the upcoming winter months, he said.
This was necessary to protect the country's energy infrastructure, civilian lives and food exports, Zelensky said, speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "What we are seeing now is that [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin is preparing once again to use winter as a weapon of war, meaning attacking the energy system, the gas infrastructure. We need to prevent that," said Stoltenberg.
Zelensky met with Stoltenberg at the NATO headquarters and attended the start of a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which brings together around 50 countries from around the world interested in supporting Kiev in its fight against Russia.
The United States and several other NATO members promised continued support for Kiev, as the escalation between Israel and Hamas, coupled with domestic political uncertainty in Washington, have raised concerns about the future of vital US military aid.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced new military aid for Ukraine worth $200mn in Brussels, increasing Washington's total support for Kiev to $43.9bn.
The package includes ammunition for air defence, artillery and rocket ammunition, antitank weapons and equipment to counter Russian drones, Austin announced, as he opened the meeting of the Ukraine contact group. "Make no mistake, the United States will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," Austin said.
Dutch Defence Minister KajsaOllongren said it was "vital" to reaffirm support for Ukraine, as she arrived at the meeting. Belgium plans to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, following the example of the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, Belgian Defence Minister LudivineDedonder told domestic media on Wednesday.
Source: Qatar Tribune
