Ukraine to receive additional 19 air defence systems
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that 19 air defence systems are to be transferred to Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure. The issue of military support, including the supply of weapons, was discussed during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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According to Rutte, the main topics on the agenda of the meeting between the EU leaders and Zelenskyy were military and economic support for Ukraine.
"A very important item on the agenda is to make sure that the president, his team, Ukraine are in the best possible position one day when they decide to start peace talks. And that means that we have to do everything now to make sure that we provide everything that we can when it comes to air defence, other weapons systems," Rutte said.
He specified that the planned deliveries include 19 air defence systems to protect critical infrastructure. In addition, the parties are discussing support for the Ukrainian economy not only during the war, but also in the period after a peace agreement is reached.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte. Illustration: Mark Rutte
The NATO Secretary General also supported the initiative of Denmark and Lithuania to buy weapons directly from Ukraine, using its defence industry.
"And this is good news because it means more weapons for Ukraine, but also money for the Ukrainian economy. So it's a very practical way to support you. So, all of this will be on the agenda tonight," Rutte said.
As of today, Germany is planning to deliver the sixth IRIS-T air defence system to Ukraine by the end of the year. At the same time, the production of Norwegian medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems NASAMS continues.
Source: Interfax
