Capitals (agencies)
Leaders from five European NATO member states reaffirmed their support for Ukraine during their meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal in Prague.
The main focus was on the Czech Republic’s plan to purchase up to 800,000 artillery shells from countries outside the European Union.
Czech Prime Minister Peter Fiala said: Ukraine can expect to receive a first batch of tens of thousands of 155 mm artillery shells in the next few days. 15 countries from the European Union and NATO pledged about $1.7 billion to this project.
Polish President Andrzej Duda promised to support the transfer of artillery shells, and described the situation on the Ukrainian-Russian front as difficult, adding that artillery plays a major role in defense.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said: “For the Ukrainian people, weapons and equipment have become as crucial to survival as water, food and air.”
The Prague meeting was also attended by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Latvian Prime Minister Ivica Selina.
Shmyhal said: Ukraine prevents a repeat of what happened in 1939 when World War II broke out with Germany’s invasion of Poland. He pledged that “Ukraine was and will remain a protective shield for Europe.”
Yesterday, Sweden announced that it would provide Ukraine with two ASC 890 reconnaissance aircraft, as part of a new package of military aid that is the largest of its kind provided by the Scandinavian country to Kiev.
Swedish Defense Minister, Pal Johnson, said in a press conference in Stockholm: The aid, which was announced today, Wednesday, has a total value of $1.3 billion, and includes two “ASC 890” aircraft produced by “SAAB” equipped with With an “Airie” radar system that can be used to monitor drones, missiles, and aircraft, as well as seaborne targets, according to Bloomberg News Agency.
Johnson added, “We have held extensive discussions with member states of the Fighter Alliance, and have arrived at the assessment that the donation of ASC 890 reconnaissance and control aircraft will have the greatest impact on Ukrainian air defenses.”
Ukraine is currently struggling to defend the Kharkiv region against Russian air attacks, due to its proximity to the border. Lithuania is participating in a German-led initiative to provide air defense systems.
Meanwhile, Lithuania announced that it would allocate $14.6 million to purchase radar systems as part of a German-initiated air defense initiative for Ukraine.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurinas Kaciunas said that his country will send four radar systems to Ukraine this year and then acquire more systems.
#NATO #European #Union #provide #billion #support #Ukraine #militarily