NATO will help Ukraine transition to using Western weapons to defend itself against the invaded Russian army. Today, the country mainly uses obsolete weapons from the Soviet era.
Western weapons are more modern than most of the weapons the country currently uses, said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. At the moment, it is mainly the NATO countries that supply Poland and Romania with weapons that come from the old arsenals. Those supplies are running out.
Ukraine mainly received these weapons, because they match well with the weaponry from the same period that the country already has. The other NATO countries are supplying replacement weapons and ammunition to replenish the stocks of eastern allies.
With Stoltenberg’s announcement, NATO is expressing its intention to further strengthen its military cooperation with Ukraine.
NATO countries will reiterate their support at a conference in Madrid in two weeks’ time. This should make it possible for the Ukrainians to switch to a more modern standard NATO equipment. “We are extremely focused on ramping up support,” Stoltenberg said.
NATO countries are already training Ukrainian soldiers to use Western weaponry, such as the armored howitzers promised by the Netherlands and Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is welcome at the summit in Madrid, Stoltenberg said. However, Zelensky is expected to address the leaders of NATO countries via video link.
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