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NATO allies to discuss new aid for Ukraine in Brussels

15.06.2022 12:15
Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak is on Wednesday scheduled to join his NATO counterparts and officials from dozens of countries for a gathering in Brussels to discuss new forms of support for Ukraine's armed forces as they battle Russia's invasion.
Mariusz Błaszczak
Mariusz BłaszczakPhoto: PAP/Marcin Bielecki

The meeting of the so-called Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the third such get-together since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, is expected to be attended by officials from more than 50 countries, according to the US ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith.

After that meeting, NATO defence ministers will convene among themselves to discuss preparations for the alliance's summit in Madrid, Spain later this month, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Key topics for discussion include "Russia's aggression against Ukraine and its impact on Euro-Atlantic security," according to the Polish defence ministry.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that members of the alliance would continue to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons and long-range systems.

He added that he expected NATO allies to agree a new package of assistance to Kyiv at the Madrid summit, which will be held from June 28 to 30.

"We are extremely focused on stepping up support," Stoltenberg told a news conference, as quoted by the Reuters news agency.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters