NATO Secretary General in Ramstein: we must step up support for Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany on Friday (21 April 2023), following his visit to Ukraine. The meeting was chaired by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley.

The Secretary General stressed the importance of stepping up military aid for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. “I just came back from Kyiv yesterday night and I met with President Zelenskyy, and his message was that he really appreciates and welcomes the strong support NATO Allies and partners have provided for Ukraine, but also counts on us to continue to support Ukraine in the future,” he said.

Mr Stoltenberg thanked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for his leadership and welcomed the United States’ new package of assistance for Ukraine, including ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), advanced missiles and anti-tank missiles. He welcomed recent announcements by other NATO Allies, including Denmark and the Netherlands, regarding deliveries of armoured vehicles. The Secretary General also called for continued supplies of air defences, ammunition and training. He added that that the Alliance is working closely with industry to ramp up the production of weapons and ammunition, and replenish Allied stockpiles.

The Secretary General underlined the importance of stepping up non-lethal military assistance, noting that NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package is providing medical supplies, mobile satellite systems and pontoon bridges.

While in Ramstein, the Secretary General also met with the Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov and the Minister of Defence of New Zealand Andrew Little.