The Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg appeared on Friday optimistic that Ukraine would succeed in recapturing territory from the Russians in its counteroffensive for which Kiev is demanding more weapons and ammunition.

Ukraine’s allies, at their meeting at the US base in Ramstein, Germany, discussed the various systems and supplies that the Ukrainians need to regain more territory, Stoltenberg explained.

“I am sure that (the Ukrainians) will now be able to liberate even more territory,” he assured.

A year after its formation, this group of 50 countries that militarily support Ukraine “has developed into an outstanding community of action” that has allowed “impressive progress” to be achieved on the ground, US Defense Secretary Lloyd said. Austin.

On Thursday, Stoltenberg held talks in Kiev with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who has been pressing the West for more tanks, guns, ammunition as well as fighter jets and long-range missiles to hit Russian logistics away from his line. forehead.

“Together, we will ensure that Ukraine has everything it needs,” Austin said, announcing that in the coming weeks, US Abrams tanks would be delivered to Germany, initially to train Ukrainian soldiers before they are deployed on the battlefield.

The US decision to supply Ukraine with 31 advanced M1A2 Abrams tanks will “make a difference” in the war, but it is not a “magic bullet”, said General Mark Milley, the head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. “I’m biased, but I think the M1s are the best tanks in the world (…) I really think the M1s will make a difference,” Milley said after the Ramstein session.

The Abrams will arrive in Germany in the coming weeks so Ukrainians can begin training on them. A US official, who asked not to be named, said the training, involving hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers, it will take about 10 weeks.

When asked about the fighter jets Kiev is asking for, Mili said what Ukraine mainly needs are ground-based air defense systems. “The Russians are reluctant to come to Ukraine because of the effective use of Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems. This is the most critical point at the moment,” he argued.

In addition, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced today that an agreement has been reached to organize in Poland a base where German Leopard tanks deployed in Ukraine will be repaired. All sides have agreed on how to finance this base, which will cost around 150-200 million euros a year and will be operational from the end of May, Pistorius told reporters.

The German minister also said that Ukrainian soldiers will start training on Leopard tanks. Berlin has promised to deliver around 80 such tanks by the middle of the year.