Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has committed to making endeavors to persuade NATO member states to provide additional air defense systems for safeguarding Ukraine's power plants and energy infrastructure, which were significantly damaged in Russian attacks last winter.
On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing war and the needs of Ukrainian troops. This meeting followed Russia's accusations that Ukraine's Western allies played a role in planning and executing a missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in the annexed Crimean Peninsula last week.
Zelenskyy stated that Stoltenberg has pledged to exert efforts to mobilize NATO member nations to assist in supplying additional air defense systems to protect Ukraine's power plants and energy infrastructure, which were severely harmed by Russian assaults last winter.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the recurring drone, missile, and artillery attacks on residential areas, which were blamed for at least three civilian deaths in the past day. He emphasized the need for intensified pressure on Russia and enhanced air defense capabilities in response to the relentless attacks against Ukraine.
Stoltenberg reported that NATO has secured contracts worth 2.4 billion euros ($2.5 billion) for ammunition supplies to Ukraine. These supplies include 155 mm Howitzer shells, anti-tank guided missiles, and tank ammunition. He emphasized that a stronger Ukraine brings an end closer to Russia's aggression. Stoltenberg underscored that Russia has the option to end its war immediately, while Ukraine does not. Surrendering would not lead to peace but rather to brutal Russian occupation.
Ukraine has been striving to become a NATO member, and Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine's future lies within the trans-Atlantic military alliance. He affirmed NATO's commitment to stand with Kyiv as long as necessary. The Kremlin perceives Ukraine's potential NATO membership as an existential threat, which played a role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
On the previous day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed that the missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Crimea was coordinated with the assistance of US and UK security agencies, with NATO satellites and reconnaissance planes also playing a role. Ukraine asserted that the attack resulted in the deaths of 34 officers and injuries to 105 others. The Ukrainian side also claimed to have killed the fleet's commander, Admiral Viktor Sokolov. However, these claims were not independently verified.
Reports suggested that Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine by the UK and France were potentially used in the attack on the Russian navy installation. The UK Ministry of Defence refrained from commenting on Zakharova's remarks.
France's Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu met with President Zelenskyy to discuss the continued supply of weapons for Ukraine's war effort. The UK's Defense Secretary reaffirmed the British government's support and committed to providing additional ammunition for Ukraine's counteroffensive. France has explored alternative ways to sustain Ukraine's war effort, including direct acquisitions and subsidies for the Ukrainian army.
Stoltenberg's meeting with President Zelenskyy coincided with Moldova's efforts to determine the origin of a "crashed rocket" found near the border with Ukraine, demonstrating the regional ramifications of the ongoing conflict.
Â
