Stoltenberg: Must increase production of weapons

 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine  

NATO: We must increase support for Ukraine - as soon as possible 

 

Of:  

 

Annica Ögren  

 

Published: Yesterday 16.58 

 

Updated: Yesterday 18.28  

 

Over 40 countries are participating in the meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix 

 

NEWS 

 

NATO allies must increase the production of weapons and ammunition - and quickly replenish stocks. 

  

This is what NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says during a meeting in Ramstein, Germany, together with over 50 defense ministers. 

 

- Will be a key topic, says Stoltenberg. 

  

On Friday, defense ministers from more than 50 countries gathered during a meeting at an air base in Ramstein, Germany, which is the US's largest military airport outside the country. Among them were also Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. 

 

The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the military support provided by the countries within the so-called Ukraine Defense Contact Group. 

 

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has just announced that the US is increasing support for Ukraine. Photo: Michael Probst/AP  

 

The meeting was chaired by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and at a press conference after the meeting, Lloyd Austin said that the ministers had agreed on a "decisive decision".  

 

- I am pleased to announce a new component of military assistance to Ukraine: $2.5 billion, says Lloyd Austin. 

 

"More arms to Ukraine - now"  

 

Also present at the meeting was NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said during the meeting that NATO needs to intensify military support to Ukraine - as soon as possible. 

  

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg calls on NATO countries to increase their weapons production. Photo: Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix 

 

- Just like most wars, this will likely end at the negotiating table, but what happens in the negotiations is directly linked to what happens on the battlefield, so we must deliver more weapons to Ukraine now, says Stoltenberg, according to a press release from NATO. 

 

Stoltenberg also emphasized during the meeting that NATO's allies must increase the production of weapons and ammunition - and quickly replenish stocks. 

 

He also said that the alliance is working closely with industry to this end, and that procurement will be a key issue when NATO defense ministers meet in February.  

 

Decision Leopard tanks delayed  

 

Volodymyr Zelenskyi's adviser, Mychajlo Podoljak, has recently said that tanks are the key to ending the war "for real" and that Ukraine needs about 300 tanks.  

 

Britain has promised to send 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. There are also ongoing discussions about whether Germany should export the Leopard 2 tank to Ukraine, which the country previously exported to 13 countries.  

 

The Polish Minister of Defense has expressed himself positively about this, but Poland needs German permission to do so. 

 

- The decision has not yet been made on the delivery of Leopard tanks, says Lloyd Austin.  

 

Ukrainian President Zelenskyi made the opening speech at the "Ukraine Defense Contact Group" via video link. Photo: Michael Probst/AP  

 

Sweden has recently decided to send the Archer artillery system to Ukraine, 90 combat vehicles, 57 anti-tank robots, automatic rifles, anti-tank guns, grenade launchers with ammunition and other things for a value of 4.3 billion.  

 

It is the largest Swedish military support package to Ukraine to date.