NATO Supports Arming Ukraine and Enhances Its Military Presence on the Eastern Front

SadaNews - NATO defense ministers agreed during their meeting yesterday in Brussels to enhance the Alliance's efficiency on the eastern front and supply Ukraine with American weapons funded by Europe.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the Alliance will bolster its existing capabilities and develop them to counter the increasing threats posed by drones in recent times.

Regarding Ukraine, Rutte confirmed, on the sidelines of the NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, that European allies will fund additional shipments of American weapons to Ukraine, as part of ongoing efforts to support Kyiv.

He added that some countries have already pledged to provide two billion euros through what is termed the "Ukrainian Priority Requirements List Initiative (PURL)" launched last August.

The PURL initiative aims to provide American-made ammunition and weapons purchased by European allies and Canada, which will then be delivered to Ukraine.

For his part, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that his country will deploy Eurofighter jets at the Polish "Malbork" military base to protect NATO's eastern flank.

In the same context, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr told Al Jazeera that NATO's eastern flank faces many provocations from the Russian side.

He emphasized that the Alliance has acted swiftly to enhance security through missions and anti-drone systems and a unified command. He also noted that his country has amended its laws to enable a rapid response to any future provocations.

Ukrainian Urgency and Russian Rejection

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that most European missiles and air defense systems are sourced from the United States, leaving no option but to work through the PURL program.

Reznikov confirmed that his country is preparing for a "harsh and very difficult winter," and that Europe, by financing American weapons and equipment through the PURL program, ensures Ukraine's survival.

He pointed out that Ukraine is focusing on interceptor drones, FPV-type drones, and long-range artillery ammunition.

Reznikov also urged Ukraine's partners to review their stockpiles in preparation for such conditions, mentioning that he briefed the concerned countries on the battlefield situation at the front, and that the meeting was very successful.

In contrast, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow firmly rejects accusations of involvement in drone incidents in Europe.

Zakharova added in a press conference that resorting to terrorist threats or speaking to Russia from a position of strength is unacceptable.

The Russian spokesperson accused what she termed the "Kyiv regime" of not concealing its readiness to launch "terrorist" attacks against Russia, referring to the potential for Ukraine to receive Tomahawk missiles, considering the support of the EU foreign relations official for sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine as evidence of the West's unwillingness for peace.

Russia has been conducting a military offensive against its neighbor Ukraine since February 24, 2022, demanding that Kyiv abandon its intention to join Western military entities, a condition that Kyiv views as an intervention in its affairs.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies