NATO has delivered 98% of the promised tanks to kyiv: “They will make it easier to recover territory”

NATO has already delivered the 98% of combat vehicles promised to Ukrainea military aid that reinforces the position of the Government of kyiv to launch a counteroffensive and recover the territories occupied by Russia, as highlighted this Thursday Jens Stoltenberg.

The Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance welcomes the call by the Chinese president, Xi Jinpingto his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelensky. However, Stoltenberg recalled that Beijing not only continues not to condemn Moscow’s war of aggression, but has exhibited a close alliance with Vladimir Putin.

“More than 98% of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine have already been delivered. That means more than 1,550 armored vehicles, 230 tanks and other equipmentincluding large amounts of ammunition,” Stoltenberg explained at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettle.

[Ucrania cruza el Dniéper y establece una cabeza de playa frente a Jersón como primer paso hacia Crimea]

In addition, NATO has trained and equipped more than 9 new Ukrainian armored brigades. All of it”will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to recapture occupied territory“, highlights the secretary general of the Alliance.

In the Vilnius summit which is held in July, the allied heads of state and government will go a step further in their support for kyiv by approving “a multi-year support programme”as announced by Stoltenberg.

The goal is to help Ukraine switch from Soviet to NATO standards, doctrines and equipment and ensure “full interoperability” with the Allies. “We have made it clear that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes“, insisted the Secretary General.

After Xi’s call to Zelensky, could China mediate in the conflict? “I welcome the call between President Xi and President Zelensky. I think it is important for China to better understand the Ukrainian point of view. That does not change the fact that China has not been able to condemn Russia’s illegal war, the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Stoltenberg replied.

NATO will continue to support Zelensky’s peace plan, which includes “the full respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine“. “It is up to Ukraine to decide what are the conditions for the talks and what formats they should have,” says the general secretary.

“But what we do know is that what happens at the negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield. So if we want a negotiated peaceful solution, in which Ukraine prevails as a sovereign and independent nation, the best way to achieve it is to provide military support to Kiev, exactly as NATO allies are doing,” Stoltenberg concludes.