Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers

Good afternoon,
We have just concluded a virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

President Zelenskyy briefed Allied Defence Ministers on the situation on the battlefield, and Ukraine's critical need for more air defences.

NATO Defence Ministers have agreed to step up and provide further military support, including more air defence.

NATO has mapped out existing capabilities across the Alliance and there are systems that can be made available to Ukraine.

So I except new announcements on air defence capabilities for Ukraine soon.

I welcome Germany's efforts, including the recent decision to deliver an additional Patriot system to Ukraine.

In addition to Patriots, there are other weapons that Allies can provide, including SAM-Ts.

And many Allies who do not have available systems have pledged to provide financial support to purchase them for Ukraine.

We are also working with industry to ramp up production and to refurbish systems to make them operational and fit for purpose.

In our meeting today, Ministers also addressed many other pressing needs, including 155 mm ammunition, deep precision strike capabilities, and drones.

Each NATO Ally will decide what to provide. Several Allies made concrete commitments during the meeting and are finalising contributions that I expect will be announced soon.

Help is already on the way.

Just this week, Denmark made a new pledge for Ukraine, and the Netherlands announced an additional 4 billion euros in military support.

Czechia confirmed that they have procured half a million artillery rounds through their ammunition initiative.

And I welcome the progress made in the US Congress towards vote on the critical aid package for Ukraine tomorrow.
I count on the bill to pass without further delay.

Allies must dig deep into their inventories.
And speed up the delivery of missiles, artillery and ammunition.

Ukraine is using the weapons we provided to destroy Russian combat capabilities.
This makes us all safer.

So support to Ukraine is not charity.
It is an investment in our own security.

With that, I am ready for your questions.

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